Latest Gambling News: India’s DGGI Can Take Down Gaming Websites and Apps, and more

Catch up on six of the stories our gambling compliance analysts have covered lately, and stay up-to-date on the latest news.

India’s DGGI Can Take Down Gaming Websites and Apps

India’s financial transactions regulator and money laundering watchdog can now issue direct take-down orders for real-money gaming websites and apps that it suspects of evading the goods and services tax (GST).

In a gazette notice on January 6, the central government authorised the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) to discontinue requests for block orders through the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, instead allowing it to directly intervene against offending companies.

The gazette notification also created an “additional/joint director (intelligence)” to coordinate direct intervention against the online and app footprints of India-based and foreign-based companies.

The move comes as the Supreme Court of India prepares for final hearings in March on the validity of the GST on real-money gaming, including online skill games, land-based casinos and horseracing, which has badly shaken the industry.

Sports-Betting Alliance Opposes Michigan Tax Increases

Even though the proposed tax increases in Michigan on internet gaming and sports betting are small, the Sports Betting Alliance (SBA) has begun an online lobbying effort to make its opposition known before the legislature returns next year.

Senate Bill 1193, filed by state Senators Sam Singh and Jeremy Moss, both Democrats, would increase the tax rate on sports betting from 8.4 percent to 8.5 percent on a commercial operator’s adjusted gross sports-betting revenue. Singh and Moss also authored Senate Bill 1194 that seeks to increase iGaming tax rates across the board by 1 percent in Michigan.

A form on the SBA’s website that can be sent to state lawmakers says raising taxes on legal sports betting and iGaming will only “hurt fans … who just want to enjoy games how we want.”

The SBA, a coalition of operators including FanDuel, BetMGM, DraftKings and Fanatics, warns that lawmakers are trying to rush through two bills that would increase the tax burden on the industry putting “hundreds of new local jobs at risk.”

The move to increase tax rates in Michigan follows a successful effort in Ohio that saw the sports-betting tax rate double from 10 percent to 20 percent, while in July Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat, signed a bill creating a tiered system ranging from 20 percent to 40 percent.

The Illinois tax rate had been 15 percent. Other states, including New Jersey, Louisiana and Massachusetts also debate tax increases but left their rates alone.

Internet Gaming Bill Filed In Indiana Legislature

After lawmakers took a break from considering gaming legislation last year, a new bill that would legalize online casino games in Indiana was filed on Wednesday (January 15).

House Bill 1432, authored by Republican Representative Ethan Manning, would allow licensed riverboats and racetracks to offer internet gaming, including poker. Under the proposed bill, Indiana would tax iGaming between 22 percent and 30 percent.

An iGaming license would cost $500,000 with a $50,000 annual renewal fee. Manning’s bill would also authorize the Indiana Lottery to sell draw games and instant games online, along with regulating lottery courier services in the state.

HB 1432 also establishes a problem gambling program that would be developed and administered by the Indiana Gaming Commission, with a $250,000 annual fee paid by each of the seven riverboat casinos.

The first reading of HB 1432 is scheduled for Tuesday (January 21) before being referred to the House Committee on Public Policy for their consideration.

Brittnie Watkins Departs Nevada Gaming Control Board

Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) member Brittnie Watkins said during Wednesday’s (January 15) meeting that it was her last for the state agency.

Watkins, whose term expires on January 26, was appointed to the NGCB in 2021 by former Democratic Governor Steve Sisolak. Watkins did not say if she sought reappointment to a second four-year term from Republican Governor Joe Lombardo.

The Nevada Independent reported that Lombardo had informed Watkins that she would not be reappointed.

“I am honored to have served in this position,” Watkins said. “The opportunity to see the gaming industry from this perspective has been absolutely priceless.”

Lombardo is expected to appoint a replacement in a few weeks.

In January 2023, Lombardo appointed Kirk Hendrick as chairman and former Judge George Assad as board member. Both Hendrick and Assad have two years left in their terms.

Victoria Fines Online Bookmaker VicBet

The Victoria state gambling regulator has fined on-course and online horse and greyhound racing bookmaker VicBet A$130,000 ($81,000) for soliciting business from customers who tried to close an online account or self-excluded.

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) said in a statement on Thursday (January 16) that it had fined VicBet A$80,000 after the company “repeatedly sent gambling promotional material” to a former customer who permanently self-excluded from the bookmaker in March 2020.

It also fined VicBet A$50,000 because it “offered and provided” a A$1,800 bonus bet to a customer who had asked to close his/her account in September 2022.

It was not immediately clear how recently VicBet engaged with the customers.

“It is an egregious betrayal of trust … to continue to send marketing materials to a person who has self-excluded from a gambling venue or closed a betting account,” VGCCC chief executive Annette Kimmitt said.

The VGCCC said VicBet was given a chance to show cause why it should not be punished over the incidents, and that company legal representations were considered before the fine was issued.

The fine adds to a growing list of licensees across all industry segments that have been punished by the VGCCC, Australia’s most active gambling regulator, for violations of the law or of codes of conduct.

Internet Gaming Bill Filed In Wyoming

With only 584,057 residents Wyoming may be the smallest state by population in the U.S. but has legalized a wide range of gaming activities from online sports betting to horseracing and historic horseracing machines, as well as skill-games and three tribal casinos.

On Tuesday (January 14), Republican state Representative Bob Davis introduced House Bill 162 to legalize internet casino games. Under the bill, the Wyoming Gaming Commission (WGC) would license and regulate iGaming, its operators and vendors.

Davis proposed a 16 percent tax on iGaming revenue, with a fee of $100,000 for an initial five-year license, and a renewal cost of $50,000. The bill would allow the three tribal casinos to amend their individual gaming compacts to offer iGaming on tribal lands.

The WGC would also be able to consider those companies licensed to operate mobile sports betting “fully qualified to hold an (iGaming) permit without additional investigation.” Currently, HB 162 has not been referred to a legislative committee.

Should the bill pass this session, the commission would have until December 31 to promulgate rules to allow for iGaming. A fiscal note, published on Tuesday, estimated tax revenue of $7.38m for fiscal year 2026, increasing to $23.86m in fiscal year 2028.

Wyoming is the third state so far in early 2025 that will debate an iGaming bill, following legislation introduced in Maryland and Virginia.

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