This document summarizes the Indian government's response to a parliamentary question regarding offshore online gaming platforms operating without adhering to Indian tax and regulatory norms. The government's policies aim to ensure a safe, trusted, and accountable internet environment. To address harms caused by illegal gaming entities, the Directorate General of GST Intelligence Headquarters is empowered under the IT Act, 2000, and the IGST Act to direct intermediaries to block unregistered online money gaming platforms, including offshore platforms violating the IGST Act. Suppliers of online money gaming are regulated under the IGST Act, 2017, and must obtain a single registration under the Simplified Registration Scheme. Online gaming attracts a 28% GST rate since October 1, 2023. From 2022 to June 2025, the government issued 1,524 blocking directions related to online betting, gambling, and gaming websites and mobile applications. While betting and gambling are State subjects under the Constitution, the Central Government supplements State efforts through advisories and financial assistance for capacity building of their Law Enforcement Agencies.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for IT policy, electronics development and promotion of the internet.
SHRI KRISHNA PRASAD TENNETI: Member of LOK SABHA who raised a question about offshore online gaming platforms.
SHRI JITIN PRASADA: Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology who provided the answer to the question.
Information Technology Act, 2000: An Act of the Indian Parliament to provide legal recognition for transactions carried out by means of electronic data interchange and other means of electronic communication, commonly referred to as 'electronic commerce'.
IGST Act: Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act; mentioned in the context of regulating online money gaming platforms and requiring registration under a Simplified Registration Scheme.
Directorate General of GST Intelligence Headquarters: An Indian government agency empowered under the IT Act and IGST Act to direct intermediaries to block unregistered online money gaming platforms.
Constitution of India: The supreme law of India, which divides legislative powers between the Union and the States. The Seventh Schedule lists subjects under Union, State and Concurrent lists.
Union Territories: Refers to the Union Territories of India, which, along with the States, are responsible for the prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of crimes including illegal betting and gambling.
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
542. 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-wise;
(c) whether the Government has developed or proposes to develop a robust mechanism to prevent
the re-emergence of such platforms through mirror websites;
(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 (e): 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
government/agency under the Information Technology Act, 2000 (“IT Act”) and the IGST Act
to direct intermediaries to block unregistered online money gaming platforms including
offshore online money gaming platforms violating the IGST Act.
• The suppliers of online money gaming are also being regulated 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.
From 2022 till June 2025, Government has issued 1,524 blocking directions related to online
betting/gambling/gaming websites and mobile applications.
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.
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