In the Lok Sabha, MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary on July 23, 2025, answers that the Government of India has blocked 1,524 illegal online betting and gambling websites/apps from 2022 to June 2025. Minister Jitin Prasada clarified in the Lok Sabha that the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) is authorized to block unregistered offshore gaming platforms under the IT and IGST Acts. From October 1, 2023, online money gaming is subject to 28% GST, and operators must register under the IGST Simplified Scheme. While betting and policing fall under state jurisdiction, the Centre supports states through advisories and financial aid for law enforcement capacity building.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 542
TO BE ANSWERED ON: 23.07.2025
OFFSHORE ONLINE GAMING PLATFORMS
- SHRI KRISHNA PRASAD TENNETI:
Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken note of the growing presence of offshore online gaming platforms operating without adhering to Indian tax and regulatory norms as opposed to legal skill gaming companies;
(b) if so, the list of such platforms identified and blocked during the last five years across the country, State/UT-wise;
(c) whether the Government has developed or proposes to develop a robust mechanism to prevent the re-emergence of blocked platforms and new entrants that flout norms;
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the details of steps being taken by the Government to ensure better coordination between MeitY, the Ministry of Finance and other concerned authorities to curb illegal offshore gaming operations?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a) to (c): The policies of the Central Government are aimed at ensuring open, safe, trusted and accountable internet for its users. To address the harms caused by illegal/non-compliant gaming entities Central Government has taken following steps:
- The Directorate General of GST Intelligence Headquarters is empowered as appropriate to government agency under the Information Technology Act, 2000 (“IT Act”) and the IGST Act to direct internet intermediaries to block unregistered online money gaming platforms including offshore online money gaming platforms violating the IGST Act.
- Suppliers of online money gaming are also being captured under the Integrated Good and Services Tax Act, 2017 (“IGST Act”). They are required to obtain a single registration under the Simplified Registration Scheme referred to in the IGST Act.
- Online gaming attracts GST at the rate of 28% from 1st October, 2023.
(d): From 2022 till June 2025, Government has issued 1,524 blocking directions related to online betting/gambling websites and mobile applications.
(e): Under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, “Betting and gambling” is a State subject (entry 34 of the List II). Therefore, as per the provisions of article 246 read with article 162 of the Constitution, State Legislatures have the power to legislate on matters related to betting and gambling.
Further, ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are also State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. The States/Union Territories are primarily responsible for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of crimes including for action on illegal betting and gambling.
The Central Government supplements the efforts of the States/Union Territories through advisories and financial assistance under various schemes for capacity building of their LEAs.
The Answer can be accessed at: https://a2ztaxcorp.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/LOK-SABHA-on-OFFSHORE-ONLINE-GAMING-PLATFORMS.pdf