PANAJI
More than three years after the Goa government drafted a long-awaited regulatory framework to monitor its multi-crore casino industry, the rules are yet to be notified. As a result, there is still no institutional mechanism to track casino patrons’ financial profiles or verify the legality of the money circulating within the industry.
In 2022, the home department drafted the Goa Public Gambling Rules and sent them to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for final approval. The draft rules were intended to streamline the casino business and tighten oversight over financial and operational practices. However, official sources told The Goan that the government decided to “tweak” the rules in 2023, and since then, a notification has been awaited.
The presence of a full-time Gaming Commissioner also exists only on paper. In March 2019, the State appointed the Commissioner of Commercial Taxes to the post (as additional charge), but with no formal rules to define responsibilities. Successive GST Commissioners have held charge of casino affairs with little clarity on their role or mandate.
“There is currently no system to assess how much money a casino client is spending or where that money comes from. Whether it is legal or illicit, there is no way to know,” the official said.
Under the proposed gambling rules, the Gaming Commissioner would have the power to issue entry tickets to both onshore and offshore casinos, which currently lies with the casino operators themselves. The rules also envisage the Commissioner as the main authority for monitoring and enforcement, including the power to suspend or revoke permissions, inspect operations, and maintain databases of clients and financial transactions.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao has repeatedly flagged what he describes as a deliberate reluctance to enforce regulation. “There’s no oversight. Despite clear rules prohibiting live gaming onshore, it continues unchecked,” Alemao said in the Assembly in March, adding, “Slot machines and electronic gaming are the only forms allowed, but who is monitoring?”
CM Sawant maintained that regular inspections are being conducted and violations are dealt with according to law. But the government has remained tight-lipped on appointing a full-time Gaming Commissioner.
The opposition has been criticizing the government, alleging that in the last five years, barely any raids or verifications have taken place. “There’s no political will. It’s a free-for-all in the name of regulation,” Alemao had charged.
