Native Goans to be Banned from Entering Casinos from 2019: Says Manohar Parrikar

Panaji: Native Goans would be banned from entering casinos from 2019 after the state government appoints a gaming commissioner to regulate the industry, Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar said on Friday. The Chief Minister said a casino policy would be unveiled this month.

“As a policy, Goans will not be permitted to enter the casino playing areas. Only visiting tourists shall be allowed. A mechanism will be put in place once the gaming commissioner is appointed,” the Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar told the Assembly. Parrikar said that offshore casinos operating in the Mandovi river off Panaji would be relocated to specially designated zones which will be notified by the state government in the upcoming policy.

“The Government shall identify notified designated zones where present offshore casinos can be shifted. That means the government will notify zones... Licences for offshore casinos will be issued provided they grant their willingness within a year’s time,” Manohar Parrikar said. When in the Opposition (from 2007-2012), the BJP had vociferously opposed casino operations in Goa, most of the licences for which had been granted by Congress-led coalition governments. (IANS)