“This is a big win and now we can go ahead with the aggressive recovery process,” a DGGI official told ET.
The DGGI had issued show-cause notices alleging tax evasion of around ₹1 lakh crore against about 80 online gaming companies and casinos. Gaming companies approached various high courts challenging the tax demands. The Supreme Court later transferred pleas from nine high courts to itself.
The top court’s ruling on Wednesday validates the revenue authorities’ stance.
Senior officials from the revenue department said they will study the judgment.
The revenue department remains open to engaging with industry stakeholders on concerns regarding penalties and interest following the Supreme Court ruling, the official added.
In the original show-cause notice issued to Gameskraft in 2022, the DGGI had sought GST dues of about ₹21,000 crore for the period between 2017 and 2022, along with interest and penalties, in one of the largest tax demands ever raised.This became a template for similar proceedings initiated against several online gaming operators.
The verdict is expected to impact major gaming companies including Gameskraft, Dream11, Mobile Premier League, Games24x7, Junglee Games and Delta Corp, several of which are facing ongoing GST investigations or disputes.