The state cabinet on Friday approved the Goa Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, to bring online gaming under the Goa Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Accordingly, section 2 of the Goa Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, has been amended to define online gaming as any internet or electronic network-based game. The amendment includes online money gaming in which players pay or deposit money or money’s worth, including virtual digital assets with the expectation of winning money or money’s worth.
Games, schemes, competitions or activities, irrespective of whether the outcome is based on skill, chance or both is now part of the ordinance and includes betting, casinos, gambling, horse racing, lottery or online money gaming.
The supplier of the game will be liable to pay tax.
Another provision also specifies people involved in organising or arranging and who owns, operates or manages any digital or electronic platform for betting, gambling, horse racing, online money gaming or involved in casinos or lottery will be known as a supplier. The ordinance states that all provisions of the Act will apply to the supplier and he will be liable to pay tax.