Online gaming is gambling like casinos: Nirmala Sitharaman

TIL Desk/Business/Chandigarh/ Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday categorically termed online gaming “nothing but gambling”. She also said on the issue of extending the Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation from June 30, the views of some states were heard so far but nothing was decided.

Addressing the media at the conclusion of the two-day meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council here, Sitharaman said casinos, horse-racing, and online gaming are all gambling. “Whether it is horse-racing or online gaming or casinos, the common thread that the Committee highlighted was they are part of betting and gaming.

“In other words, they are essentially gambling. There may be an element of skill in it or an element of chance in it. But essentially, all the three are gambling,” Sitharaman said. She said the Group of Ministers (GoM), headed by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, on betting, casinos, horse racing, online gaming which are taxed at 28 per cent, was in favour of status quo in this regard.