Amidst Legal Challenges, Maharashtra Government Seeks to Abolish Casino Control Act
Nagpur, 9th December 2023: During the inaugural day of the assembly session on Thursday, the Maharashtra government presented a set of five bills, notably seeking the repeal of the “Maharashtra Casinos (Control and Tax) Act, 1976,” and proposing amendments to the “Maharashtra Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.”
Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, addressing the assembly, emphasized the permanent repeal of the Maharashtra Casino Act. Fadnavis staunchly opposed casinos in the state, citing the persistent legal challenges faced since the Act’s inception in 1976. He recalled instances, including his tenure as Chief Minister in 2016 and a similar proposal in January 2023, highlighting the need for the repeal considering the state’s youth. The bill received approval in the assembly following a cabinet decision.
In addition to the Casino Act, the government introduced bills seeking amendments to the Chit Funds Act of 1982, the Maharashtra Apartment Ownership Act of 1970, and the Maharashtra Public Universities Act of 2016.
Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis presented the bill proposing amendments to the Casinos Act, emphasizing that the initial purpose of the Act was to regulate and tax casinos. Fadnavis clarified that the Act would be deemed repealed upon a government notification published in the official gazette. However, the government’s stance is against permitting casinos in the state.
The proposed amendments to the Maharashtra GST Act include defining terms like “virtual digital asset,” “specified actionable claims,” “online gaming,” and “online money gaming.” Additionally, a new clause is suggested, requiring registration for anyone remitting money for online gaming from outside the country to someone in India. The amendments aim to clarify the tax implications associated with claims related to online gaming, horse racing, and casinos.
