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Gamer And Chess Player Deep Patel Writes An Open Letter To The GOI On The 28% GST

The 28% GST announcement by the Indian finance ministry has sent waves of uncertainty and unrest among the entire gaming community of the country. From big companies to smaller individual players, everyone seems to be in a state of dilemma and has been expressing their concerns over the new law.

Among them was a pro gamer and chess player, Deep Patel, who has written an open letter to the Revenue Secretary regarding a statement made by the government office. While justifying the 28% tax, the Revenue Secretary stated that, “If the demand is inelastic and people are actually addicted to it, then the government gains in revenue. On the other hand, if the demand is elastic, then a social purpose is served because it is addictive and against our social values because it is betting.”

Being a proud Indian & pro-gamer who has represented the country in gaming, I was shocked & dismayed when the Hn'bl Revenue Secretary, while justifying 28% GST, said Gaming is against our social values. My open letter to him. @FinMinIndia @nsitharaman @Rajeev_GoI @Anurag_Office pic.twitter.com/HX4QTraiI6

— Deep Patel (@DeepPatel2506) July 19, 2023

Patel strongly condemned the statement by focusing on the point that if online games are against our social values, then why allow gaming at all? He also emphasised the fact that the honourable office called gamers ‘addicts’ and online gaming ‘betting.’

The poker, FIFA and chess player also pointed out in his statement that “It (28% GST) may also have an economic rationale because people will hopefully use this time in more productive activities” is offensive. In his letter, he questioned if the government is calling gamers unproductive.

Patel ended his letter by saying, “We, the gamers, are hardworking and law-abiding young people of India. We understand that gaming is an important part of India’s digital economy. We fully support our beloved Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of the digital economy contributing a substantial part of India’s proposed 5 trillion dollars economy.”

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