Countering “ill effects” of gaming on families
Residents of the western Indian state of Goa may be banned from visiting local casinos under legislation now before lawmakers.
Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar says officials are responding to the negative social effects of gambling. If the law is approved, Goans may be able to gain access to casinos with special permission from the state gaming commissioner, according to the Asia Gaming Brief.
To help enforce the proposed new law, Goan casinos will be required to capture video images of all customers and keep those records for a 30-day period.Other safeguards will include more regulated electronic ticketing, and a hike in the casino entry fee. Visitors now pay 700 rupees to enter a state casino. Under the new rules, they will have to pay 1,000 rupees (about $15).
“The draft rules have been formulated after taking into account the ill effects of the casinos on the locals during the past few years,” said Parsekar.
