VIBHA VERMA
PANJIM: The Goa Public Gaming Rules 2017, that are being fine-tuned to establish the identity of casino visitors, also spell out the powers of the Gaming Commissioner in a bid to ensure that casino operators mandatorily follow the rules and regulations.
The Commission is fashioned on the lines of the Nevada Gaming Commission (which controls gambling in Las Vegas) to regulate the casino industry as well as maintain a record of revenue earned through gaming. “The licencee shall maintain record of the visitors/tourists visiting the licensed premises and obtain a photo identity for proof and records. It should be allowed to be inspected by the Gaming Commissioner or any other officer authorised by him, on demand. The records shall be maintained for a period of 180 days from the end of the respective calendar year,” the original draft states.
Whether the Gaming Commission will be granted more powers has not yet been discussed by the government.
The casino licencee – on a written request or direction of the Gaming Commissioner or any authority – should furnish details on any aspect of its financial affairs in connection with the conduct of authorised games. “Non-compliance will amount to violation,” the rules warn.
The Commissioner will also have the powers to seek CCTV footage from each casino. This record too has to be maintained for 180 days failing which, the draft rules state that the licensee will be liable for a penalty of Rs 1 lakh which may extend to Rs 1 crore.
Once the Commission is constituted, an official said, the Commissioner will have to submit a report on or before October 31 every year, to the government. “The report will comprise of compliance by the licencee of the provisions of the Act and the Rules, functioning of each casino including default, if any committed by the licensee or violation of the terms and conditions of license issued along with any other observations which the Commissioner considers appropriate, pertaining to the preceding financial year,” he said.
The Home Department had recalled the draft from the Law Department last December. In 2012, the BJP-led coalition under Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had assured the Legislative Assembly to soon frame the rules and form a Gaming Commission. The process slowed down after Parrikar was appointed to the Union Cabinet as Defence Minister. The draft was completed over a year ago and thereafter sent to the Law Department for an approval, only to see further changes now.
The State government is already working towards revising the draft Gaming Rules to define that visitors on board casinos are non-Goans and above 21 years of age. The hike in casino fees and the six months extension to relocate the offshore casino vessels to an alternate site will also be incorporated in the revised draft.
