Addressing press conference in Panjim, NGO President Durgadas Kamat said that the licences were issued to casinos for the electronic amusement/slot machines.
“Nowhere in the casino industry is live gaming permissible; these operators have now even started the local games called ‘Andhar Bahar’ which is being gambled in rural villages,” Kamat said.
Kamat has demanded that FIRs be filed against casinos that operate live gaming. He said that the Crime Branch had raided a land based casino at Vainguinim Valley, last year, for operating live gaming.
“If the government failed to take any action, we will be forced to approach the High Court through a writ petition,” Kamat warned.
Kamat has also alleged revenue loss to the tune of Rs 800-900 crore, annually, due to lack of taxing mechanism. He informed that on daily bases around 9000 customers visit the casinos across the State, but hardly 2000 customers are shown on record.
There are four off shore casinos and 12 on shore casinos in Goa. Entry tax per head is Rs 700, but the same was Rs 2000 during the Congress government.
Documents obtained under RTI Act reveal a scam of Rs 5000 crore in the casino industry, in last five years, Kamat said and alleged that in the anti-money laundering team a casino director has been appointed as a member.
