The Chief Minister has said that the entry of Goans would be banned on onshore and
offshore casinos from February 1, 2020. The Commercial Taxes Commissioner can
enter casinos anytime and ask for ID proof of any person who he finds to be
Goan. The mechanism is yet to be decided, rules and regulation will be decided
by the Commissioner himself,” the CM said, adding that the notification will be
out soon.
A person who was personally destroyed due to his gambling
experience shares his take on this decision, “This rule exists all over the
world where casinos are based that locals are not allowed to enter or play in
the casinos because of the indulgence and the habit. I don’t know if they can
legally create this rule only for a state. I myself have been a victim and I
was affected to a large extend. It can become an addiction which ruins families
and many lives.
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There have been hurdles in preventing Goans from entering
casinos but I don’t think this activity can be controlled. How will they check
for Goans? It can be anybody who has a domicile in Goa. Goa offers so many
avenues for gambling on shore and off shore which are open for 24 hours a day.”
A few Goans share their views:
It’s a crazy decision. It was about banning casinos from Goa and
not Goans being banned from casinos. There are so many youngsters as young as
18 years who are addicted to gambling and drugs because of casinos and EDM
festivals which is leading to ruination of families in Goa. I blame our
politicians for their greed to allow the business to run but keeping Goans away
from it
– MICHAEL FERNS,
FOUNDER, Dadleancho Ekvott
I am so happy with this ruling. As a mental health professional,
I can say that gambling addiction is far more complicated than other forms of
addiction.
This should be implemented for Goans as well the migrant
population that calls Goa their home. It will do a lot good and it was required
sooner than later. Gambling addiction can affect the health of a person if
he/she is gambling so much that their sleep and appetite is getting affected
and it also ruins family relationships. It is far worse than drinking or drugs
as it is not a direct substance that is going in the blood
– SHOBIKA JAJU, Psychologist (Clinical)
I want to know how they can distinguish who is a Goan? How are
they going to implement it? This is a very strange law. My belief is that if
entering casinos is something bad and Goans are to be kept away then it should
be prevented for people from all over India. Every morning our students take
the National pledge saying India is my country; all Indians are my brothers and
sisters. Then, if it is bad, it should be followed by the country people too.
The government should issue a note through advertisements and public notices
through the district magistrates before implementation
– ROLAND MARTINS, GOACAN Coordinator
If it is a law for Goans then it should be a common law for
Indians and Goans should not be single out. The casinos are employing quite a
lot of Goans in the entertainment on board and this should not affect them. Goa
is not a separate country. If it is illegal for Goans that the law should be
the same as we follow the same constitution
– ROUSSEL MIRANDA, Event planner
I welcome this move but if the government has found that casinos
are bad for Goans than casinos itself should be shut down. I have seen so many
Goan families who have been affected by casinos whether on shore or off shore.
This suggestion was made by Manohar Parrikar in 2012 so why did it take nearly
eight years for the government to implement it?
– SIDHANATH BUYAO, musician
It’s an individual choice of a person to visit and experience
any possible form of entertainment he feels makes him happy. I personally have
seen pure form of entertainment and elegant families visiting these places.
Banning locals is just a child’s play and not a very mature decision
– DENZIL PEREIRA, Musician, DnT Band
