CM, casino experts says that Goa needs a gambling commission
Goas chief minister Digambar Kamat had declared almost two years ago that similar to the regulatory body in Nevada USA which control🧜s gaming activities in the state.
This promise made on the floor of the Goa legislative ꦇassembly has not been fulfilled despite repeated requests by casino operaꦑtors and industry experts.
The casino industry in Goa is an extremely lucrative and booming venture with over 7 offshore casinos and 20 casinos with electronic slot machines in fꦫive star hotels. However one of the primary reasons for the sluggish growth of the over Rs. 200 crore casino industry is the regulatory hurdles faced by casino operators in getting permissions and licenses from different departments.
As per John Snowball vice president of Goas Crown Lounge and Casinos is reported to have said, It is absolutely essential to have a gaming authority or a regulator to ensure that gambling is properly conducted in Goa
An all encompassing regulatory body similar to UKs gambling commission would increase transparency in the licensing policy and make life easier for casino operators, who would not have to run from pillar to post to obtain permissions from differe🐻nt departments.
Readers may be reminded that offshore casinos and electronic slots machines 😼in five star hotels are permitted in Goa as per Section 13-A of the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976. Establishment of any kind of regulatory body would ideally require an amendment to this Act.
However given the political dynamics in Goa at present, such an amendment or ordinance is unlikely any time in the near future. The current Congress-led government is already facing various alleg♋ations of corruption in the Goa mining scam. Any unpopular move at present would be severely criticised. Additionally, the state is slated to go for elections next year, and a change in the government is on th🌼e cards. If the opposition BJP is voted to power, any move to liberalise the industry would almost certainly be stalled.
