PANAJI
In this very year, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant -- not once but twice -- made assurances on the floor of the House to clamp down on illegal online gaming and illegal casinos in the State.
During the Budget session this March, he had boldly declared that all illegal casinos will stop operations “from tomorrow” but regrettably, the ground reality tells a different story. These illegal activities are operating rampantly, either due to a lack of policy decisions or a casual approach on the part of the concerned authorities.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, who expressed concern over the alleged Rs 30 crore-per-day business through this illegal activity, claimed that several locals have faced financial losses while the government also failed to generate any revenue. He lamented that despite assurances from the government, no proactive measures are visible to address the situation.
“Where there is a will, there is a way. If the government wants, immediate action can be taken but the truth is otherwise. Illegal gambling apps and even illegal casinos are operating full-fledged without any fear of the law,” he said, speaking to The Goan.
While a concrete step from the government is awaited, Goa police have been conducting random raids at selective places with some of these places audaciously resuming activities thereafter.
Deceptive gaming apps
Luring messages on social media promoting how to earn money from gaming/gambling apps and the promise of referral earnings are serving as traps for vulnerable youth. The repercussions are evident as many have succumbed to the trap by downloading these apps, becoming addicted, and investing money, only to suffer losses. The Assembly had even discussed how some youth have taken their own lives.
Alemao demanded that the government undertake a tracking mechanism to ban these online illegal gambling activities.
Reports also indicate that certain perpetrators have gone to the extent of setting up offices, enticing locals to obtain private loans for gambling but subsequently, after the victim loses all their money, they are subjected to harassment for repayment.
Despite CM’s promise to study the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling Act, there has been no tangible progress.
Opposition’s silence after Assembly discussion
While fingers are pointed at the government, there has been a stoic silence by the Opposition after the matter is raised every Assembly session. Sources claim it could either be a lack of seriousness on their part or a sense of helplessness in effectively addressing the issue.
This matter of these illegal activities has in fact been debated for over two years after a couple of suicides of these victims came to the fore. One of them hailed from the constituency of Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar.
Former Congress and present BJP MLA Sankalp Amonkar, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Congress MLA Altone D’Costa, and AAP MLA Venzy Viegas among others had brought up the issue demanding a complete stop to these activities. However, after the matter was last raised this monsoon session, there’s no reminder to the government, by the Opposition.
