Maharashtra Considering Legalising Online Gambling, Cites Financial Benefits

The state government of Maharashtra is considering a proposal to legalise online betting and gaming as a solution to the state’s dire financial situation.

With a growing debt burden of Rs. 5.4 Lakh, An NCP cabinet member told Times of India that as there was no stopping illegal gaming and betting, the appropriate action would be to legalise it and then at least benefit from the tax.

"If we impose GST on the transaction, we expect to mobilise at least Rs. 2,500 Crore from the operators", the minster was quoted as saying.

A high-level task force was set up, headed by former finance secretary Sudhir Srivastava to examine the legal situation and create a feasibility report.

According to reports, this report has been submitted for review with much of it apparently based on Sikkim's laws. The state was the first to bring in comprehensive regulation for legal online gambling.

Maharashtra tried opening casinos decades before any other state, an exclusive Glaws report from 2013 showed.