MAPUSA
The Opposition on Wednesday took the government to task over rising online gambling activities in the State accusing the police of being hand in gloves with the “gangs” involved in the operation and demanded a law to curb the menace which is destroying the future of the youth and families in the State.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the police was doing everything possible to curb the online gaming activities and further assured the House that the government will not hesitate to bring a law to curb the illegal activities.
Raising the issue during the Question Hour, Leader of Opposition, Yuri Alemao said the spurt in online gaming activity has destroyed families and even compelled youth to commit suicide. He said the gangsters involved in the online gaming activity lure the youth who spend lakhs of rupees.
“The gambling activity carried out on an online app is conducted in at least 500 locations. They make at least Rs 30 crore per day. Online payment of Rs 1 to Rs 2 lakh per day is made through google pay,” Alemao alleged.
“The government gets no revenue since online gambling is not permitted in the State. So why should we protect such people? Who are these gangs involved in the activity,” he asked.
He said except for Canacona, this illegal activity was taking place in all the constituencies in the State and the Goa Police appeared helpless.
“It appears the police and the cyber cell are hand in gloves with the people involved in conducting the online gambling activities,” he said.
Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa informed that the online gaming activity was going on in at least 13 locations in his constituency.
“A seaman lost Rs 40 lakh in a day in the online gambling while a young boy committed suicide,” D’Costa disclosed.
Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant admitted that the online gaming was a serious issue and the police have been directed to take action against online gambling locations/ sites, online lottery sites and online casino operations in the State.
He said 44 cases have been booked in online gaming cases since 2019 and this year alone until June 30, seven cases have been booked.
“Police have managed to track and arrest people who sit with machines and engage in online games. But there are people who download the app and play the games from their homes which are difficult to track,” Sawant said.
“But online games should not happen and the government will take strict action against the activity,” he added.
The Leader of Opposition informed that the Tamil Nadu government has acted against such online gambling with an iron hand and even brought a law to curb the illegal activity.
“We are ready to bring a law. We will examine the act introduced by the Tamil Nadu government,” Sawant replied.
Benaulim MLA, Venzy Viegas said while Goan families were getting destroyed due to the online gaming menace, police officials were found wanting in taking tough action.
“We are aware some police officials are also involved. If we identify the police will the government take action against them?” Viegas sought to know.
The CM asked the MLAs to provide evidence of police culpability and assured to take action against the erring cops.
Interrupting the debate, Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar said the beat police were aware of the network and the police can easily stop the activity.
Fatorda MLA, Vijai Sardesai urged the government to bring down all the advertising hoardings promoting online gaming in the State.
