the goan I network
PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday announced that domiciled Goans would be banned from entering and placing bets in onshore and offshore casinos from February 1. The Chief Minister has also clarified that the ban would not apply on Goan’s working in the casino industry.
Speaking at a press conference, Sawant said that the Sales Tax Commissioner would be the Gaming Commissioner responsible to formulate rules and regulate the gaming industry.
“The Sales Tax Commissioner will be appointed as the Gaming Commissioner on February 1. Goans will be banned from entering casinos on the same day,” Sawant said while adding that the ban was to fulfill the promises made last assembly session.
“Last time in the Assembly we had promised that we would not allow Goans in casinos. To fulfill the promise we have done the paper work”, Sawant said.
The Chief Minister also said that a notification pertaining to casino regulation would either be issued on Thursday or on Friday.
Sawant also said that once the Gaming Commission comes into effect, it will have the authority to formulate rules and regulations to govern the casino industry, as well as identify and prevent domiciled Goans from entering and placing bets in casinos.
“Gaming Commission will draft rules and regulations,” Sawant said.
He also informed that the commissioner would have the powers to enter any casino at any time and ask for IDs of people in the casino.
There are currently six offshore casinos anchored and operating from the River Mandovi, while the number of onshore casinos are nine.
