Supreme Court stays ₹5,712 crore GST notice against Paytm First Games

The interim stay offers relief to Paytm First Games in the wider real-money gaming GST dispute. Separately, One97 Communications has signalled an expected return to profitability from the next quarter amid ongoing corporate and partnership updates.

— FiledThu, 17 Sept, 2026, 03:16 IST·First seen Thu, 17 Sept, 2026, 03:16 IST·Source ET Retail

What happened

Paytm (One97 Communications) · The Supreme Court stayed a Rs 5,712-crore GST notice against Paytm First Games, providing interim relief in the broader

Key facts

  • Rs 5,712 crore GST notice
  • 7 companies launched IPO offerings in May
  • 9% decline in Paytm stock

What changed

The Supreme Court stayed a Rs 5,712-crore GST notice against Paytm First Games, providing interim relief in the broader real-money gaming tax dispute. The tag page also cites Paytm profitability expectations, investor stake sales and a planned Flipkart partnership.

Why this matters

The Supreme Court’s interim stay reduces immediate cash-flow pressure on Paytm First Games, but operators should keep contingency plans in place until the broader GST dispute is resolved.

What to watch

  • Supreme Court orders on the validity of retrospective 28% GST demands and valuation of player deposits versus platform revenue.
  • Any requirement for Paytm First Games to deposit a portion of the disputed tax as a condition of continued relief.
  • One97 quarterly results: adjusted EBITDA/profitability delivery, cash balance, and legal-contingency disclosures.
  • Changes in GST Council guidance or a sector-wide settlement framework for online gaming.
  • Competitive exits, consolidation, or reduced marketing spend by real-money gaming operators.