PORVORIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday on the floor of the house said the Casino policy for the State would be ready within this month which will shift the off shore casinos to designated spots, where locals would be barred from entering them.
Parrikar also informed that the Gaming Commissioner would be appointed by December this year, which will ensure the implementation of the Casino policy.
“Casino policy would be ready within this month and government will identify and notify the designated zones where the off shore casinos can be shifted. Licenses would be issued to the existing off shore casinos provided they give their willingness in writing to shift to the designated spot.” said Parrikar
He said, “The willingness has to be given within a year while they will be granted maximum period of four years to shift to the designated spot.”
Parrikar said the validity of the licenses for the Casinos would be for the tenure of 10-15 years taking into account and the huge investment required for such projects.
The Chief Minister also said that the gaming commissioner shall be appointed by the end of December 2018 while announcing that Goans will be barred to enter the casinos.
“As per the policy, Goans will not be allowed to enter the casinos and the playing areas. These areas would be open only for visiting tourists. In this regard (to ban locals and allow only visiting tourists) would be put in place once the gaming commissioner is appointed.” informed Parrikar
It can be recalled that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had informed that the Goa Gambling Act would be amended once the casino policy is announced so that more vessels can’t be issued new licences.
While the previous BJP-led government had identified locations in the Aguada bay, Zuari, Chapora and Sal rivers, the proposal to shift the vessels did not see light of day for the last two years.
