Goan locals will be banned from entering the state’s casinos from 2019 under a new casino policy to be unveiled this month, according to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Addressing the Legislative Assembly on Friday, Parrikar revealed his plans to implement the ban by January, with a gaming commissioner to be appointed in December to enforce the new casino regulations.
“As a policy, Goans will not be permitted to enter the casino playing areas. Only visiting tourists shall be permitted,” Parrikar said. “A mechanism in this regard will be put in place once the gaming commissioner is appointed and appropriate rules for regulation shall be formulated.”
The ban would apply to Goa’s six offshore floating casinos although there were conflicting reports over the weekend as to whether locals will be allowed to enter the dozen onshore casinos located inside five-star hotels.
The government of Goa has stated its intention to relocate the state’s offshore casinos from the Mandovi River to designated land-based casino zones but is yet to find a suitable location. Nevertheless, Parrikar reiterated on Friday the government’s intention to identify designated zones – promising Goa’s three offshore operators they will be issued with new casino licenses provided they agree within 12 months of the new policy being declared to relocate. Each would be given four years to complete the move.
“Licenses for casino operations being granted in the designated zone can be considered for a tenure of 10 to 15 years taking into account the huge investment required for such projects,” Parrikar added.
India’s biggest casino operator Delta Corp Ltd, which operates three of Goa’s six offshore casinos, has already thrown its support behind shifting operations to land due to capacity restraints and access difficulties on the water.
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