Team Herald
PANJIM: The draft rules banning a person under 21 years of age or a Goan from entering casinos has finally been moved to the Law department for vetting. Sources said the Home Department recently forwarded the file for scrutiny and approval.
“We will examine the draft rules before giving our approval. It will take us some time,” a Law official told Herald.
The Home department’s draft rules also spell out qualification and appointment procedure of a Gaming Commissioner, to ensure rules are complied with once implemented. The development comes after a long delay of over three years when Goa government had assured the State to finalize and notify Casino Policy and Gaming Commission.
Sources said once the Law department approves the draft rules and there is a cabinet clearance, every person entering casinos will be mandated to display their identity cards.
“An identification document is a must as the fresh law will curtail people under age of 21 years as well as Goans to enter offshore and on-shore casinos. The government-appointed flying squad will keep a check to ensure its proper implementation,” an official said, adding the State had in-principle approved the draft rules last year.
The BJP, in its 2012 election manifesto had assured to ban Goans from entering casinos and to shift offshore casino vessels out of River Mandovi. But since then it has taken U-turns with Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar raising doubts over shifting the vessels in the absence of suitable infrastructure.
He had stated that since casinos contribute to the revenue of the State, shifting them to another location may not be a good idea.
