Goans will be banned from entering casinos, announced chief minister Pramod Sawant on the floor of the House. Did we hear this earlier? Yes, twice. In April 2017 and then again in August 2018, the then chief minister Manohar Parrikar made similar announcements. While promising a Casino Policy, Gaming Zone and Gaming Commissioner, he had stated that Goans will not be permitted to enter the casino playing areas.
What is the idea behind banning locals from going on casinos? And how does the government go about implementing it? There is illegal matka gambling happening in every nook and corner of the State which the government machinery has conveniently overlooked. Matka has not only survived over the years, but has thrived even in remote villages. If there is so much concern for locals, can the government crackdown on this form of betting, which either way is illegal? Banning entry to casinos may be a deterrent, but that’s not enough to stop the gambling aficionados when there are other avenues open.
If there is concern for the locals, it should be over the jobs on casinos. Out of the entire workforce employed on casinos, 564 are Goans and 877 are non-Goans. While there is an intense debate over fast eroding Goan identity and lack of employment opportunities, government should explore every job opportunity for its people. Just the way government has doubled its licensing fee for casinos, there should be intent on the job front too.
Casinos have been the cynosure of all political eyes in recent times. The ground reality is that casinos in Goa are here to stay. So when Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo sought a reply from the CM in the Legislative Assembly, on when the casinos in Goa are going to stop functioning, the answer was obvious. The government is in no position to shut down casinos for now. Figures provided in the Assembly indicate that the 6 offshore casinos and the 8 onshore ones, together bring Rs 411 crore revenue to the government treasury. The State is not in a position to ignore this at a time when the economy is precariously positioned. There is no mining yet, and tourism, the second major revenue churner, is on a decline. The fiscal deficit is widening with borrowings mounting to over Rs 15,000 cr. In such a bleak scenario, can the government slam the doors on casinos?
Yes, there need to be mechanisms in place and the River Mandovi needs to be protected. Shifting of casinos has been on the horizon for a long time, so have been the promised casino policy, gaming zone and gaming commissioner, but nothing has moved so far. Government must streamline the casinos and show serious intent in its plans. Making absurd promises and showing concern for locals visiting casinos is as vague as a shadow. From ensuring the basics of life, there are hundred other areas of serious concern to the common man.
