Gaming commissioner must be appointed
The government of the Indian state of Goa is pondering a wholesale ban on locals and underage players at the region’s casinos. Goa has four off-shore casino boats and several onshore betting halls operating at five-star hotels.
Under legislation proposed last year, anyone wishing to enter a Goan casino would have to provide proof of identity, residence and age in the form of a passport or other government-issued ID. Only then would the state issue a tourist permit that would authorize casino access. Home Secretary Sanjiv Gadkar said the changes would not apply to Goa residents who work at the casinos.
If the regulations are approved, Goans caught gambling in a casino would be subject to prosecution under the 1976 Goa, Daman & Diu Public Gambling Act for participating in a “common gaming house.”
“The draft rules were sent to the law department for vetting and seeking its opinion. We have received the file back. Some minor changes are needed to be done and we will be notifying the rules by the coming financial year,” Additional Home Secretary Sanjiv Gadkar told the Economic Times.
The rules also require that a gaming commissioner be appointed for the industry.
