5 online math games that make learning feel more like gaming

Key Takeaways: 1. A bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan dismissed petitions filed by several gaming companies and industry bodies challenging the GST regime and retrospective tax notices issued by authorities. 2. The dispute centred around the gaming sector’s contention that the 28% GST on online gaming should apply only prospectively, from 1 October 2023, after the amendments approved by the GST Council came into effect.

3. However, the apex court sided with the government’s interpretation and treated the 2023 GST amendments as clarificatory, thereby allowing retrospective application for periods before October 1, 2023.Story continues below this ad What is Retrospective taxation? 1. Retrospective taxation means bringing changes in the legislation that impact the tax consequences of certain actions undertaken before the enactment of such legislation. In simple terms, retrospective taxation allows a country to pass a rule on taxing certain products, items or services and deals and charge companies from a time behind the date on which the law is passed. 2. Countries use this route to correct any anomalies in their taxation policies that have, in the past, allowed companies to take advantage of such loopholes.

What is the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, and what are its key features? Last year, the government moved to place a strict ban on online gaming companies operating in India, citing national security concerns, including the use of digital wallets and cryptocurrencies for money laundering and illicit fund transfers.Thus, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 was passed to create a comprehensive legal framework for India’s online gaming sector.

Key Features 1. Ban on online real money games: It banned online real money games of all types, shutting the door on popular apps such as Dream11, Mobile Premier League and Winzo. It also prohibits advertisements related to online money games. It prohibits people from offering, aid, abet, induce or otherwise indulge or engage in the offering of online money games and online money gaming service.Story continues below this ad — The rationale for the ban is the “serious social, financial, psychological and public health harms, particularly among young individuals and economically disadvantaged groups” of online money gaming. — These games “use manipulative design features, addictive algorithms, bots and undisclosed agents, undermining fairness, transparency and user protection, while promoting compulsive behaviour leading to financial ruin,” the Act says. 2. Penalties for violating the law: Offering an online money gaming service can lead to imprisonment up to three years and a fine up to Rs 1 crore. For repeat offences, the jail term can extend to five years, and the fine to Rs 2 crore. — Advertising