With the Indian state of Goa being the center of heated debates on whether a fifth casino vessel should be moved on shore, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar told local media that he holds firm on his position that gambling venues should be kept afloat. The official also revealed that a Gaming Commissioner would be appointed within the next two weeks.
Chief Minister Parsekar reiterated that his party – the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has not brought a single casino to Goa and that it was the former government that let gambling vessels on shore. The top official further explained that his government was only responsible for granting the four casinos licenses to operate on land. In addition, lawmakers are currently looking for new locations for the gambling amenities.
Goa residents have been vocally opposing the news about anchoring MV Royal Flotel Deltin Caravela in River Mandovi. After locals have threatened that they would hold a rally, it was decided that the vessel would be moved to Ribandar.
Goa officials are currently reviewing the recently proposed new gambling laws, under which residents and people under 21 would be banned from local casinos. Chief Minister Parsekar has formerly told media that the rules were introduced in order for locals to be protected from the negative effects casino gambling had on them.
As mentioned above, a Gaming Commissioner is expected to be appointed within a fortnight. It will be the official’s responsibility to regulate the gambling operations conducted within the state’s borders.
Among other things, the new laws call for the current entry fee to be increased to INR1,000. At present, casino visitors pay the amount of INR700 in order to be able to play at local gambling venues.
Owners of all 18 casinos operating in Goa will need to obtain photo identity of visitors at the venues. Video images of all customers, no matter whether Goans or tourists, will also have to be captured and kept for 30 days from the end of each month.
Although residents will be banned from local casinos, they may be given special permission by the Gaming Commissioner. Only this way they will be permitted to play at gambling venues within Goa. However, the Gaming Commissioner will not be given the authority to determine casinos’ locations.
