PANAJI
It's time to 'place your bets', the Goa cabinet reckoned on Wednesday irrespective of whether it has the Covid-19 pandemic situation in its grip or not.
The Chief Minister Pramod Sawant led cabinet gave its nod for Goa's controversial Casino industry to restart operations from November 1.
The condition that only 50 per-cent of the capacity of each casino, off-shore or onshore, can be utilized will have to be adhered to.
"Casinos will start from November 1. We have given them permission," Sawant told reporters at his customary post-cabinet press conference.
The SOPs issued by the Home Department will have to be followed by the industry, he said, adding that tourism activity needs to be promoted.
With no independent regulatory authority or 'Gaming Commissioner' in place as mandated by the very gambling laws permitting the casinos, Sawant however did not clarify which statutory official will ensure Casinos follow SOPs.
Currently the responsibility to oversee the operations are loosely shouldered by the Home department.
