IPL tickets, casino entries, lottery and betting to attract 40% GST from September 22

The GST Council on Wednesday approved a 40% tax on admission to high-profile sporting events such as the Indian Premier League (IPL) and on activities including casinos, betting, horse racing, lotteries, gambling and online money games.

The decision was taken at the 56th meeting of the GST Council, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, as part of a wider restructuring of India’s indirect tax regime.

The reforms simplify the current four-tier structure into two standard rates of 5% and 18% and introduce a special 40% slab for luxury and demerit goods and services.

The new rates will come into effect from September 22.

While the 40% GST will cover IPL matches, it will not apply to recognised sporting events such as those sanctioned by national and international federations.

For such recognised sports, tickets priced up to ₹500 remain exempt, and those above that threshold will continue to be taxed at the standard 18% rate.

“For all specified actionable claims including betting, casinos, gambling, horse racing, lottery and online money gaming, GST rate of 40% will apply,” the finance ministry said in a release.

The marathon meeting of the GST Council lasted for 10.5 hours, in which the Centre and states thrashed out key tax proposals.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said that all states were on board for the rate rationalisation, and it was a consensus-based decision.

West Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said the total loss due to GST rate rationalisation would be ₹47,700 crore.

The new rates for all products, except gutkha, tobacco and tobacco products and cigarettes, will be effective September 22.

The Council’s decision comes weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced “next-generation GST reforms” in his Independence Day address, promising measures that simplify taxation while supporting economic growth.

India Inc hailed the GST Council's "forward-looking decisions", saying the clarity will ease compliance, reduce litigation, and give businesses and consumers much-needed predictability.

CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said, "This move on GST reforms is a phenomenal milestone. By lowering rates on everyday items and critical inputs, the reforms provide immediate relief to families and strengthen the foundation for growth".

Hemant Jain, President, PHDCCI stated: "The roll-out of GST rate rationalisation from September 22, 2025, is a landmark reform that addresses both consumer welfare and revenue efficiency. By reducing rates on daily essentials such as toiletries, packaged foods, and utensils from 18-12% to 5%, the reform will ease household budgets and stimulate demand".

"We thank and welcome the rectification of the GST inversion in the Man-Made Fibre (MMF) value chain by aligning MMF fibre and yarn at 5 per cent from 18 per cent and 12 per cent earlier respectively. It addresses the long-standing blockage of working capital for thousands of spinners and weavers," Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) Chairman Rakesh Mehra said.