Goans May Be Banned from Neighborhood Casinos as Part of Larger Industry Re-Regulation Drive

Residents of the Indian state of Goa might be Prohibited from Neighborhood casinos from next year, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Friday. The state currently has 15 operational casinos — six riverboat ones, floating across the Mandovi River, and nine onshore ones situated at luxury five-star hotel resorts.

Chief Minister Parrikar clarified the proposed ban would be a part of a bigger policy targeted at re-regulating the state’s casino gambling industry. The piece of legislation is set to be introduced to the Assembly later this month.

If the policy gains the essential support in the state’s primary legislative body, it would ban locals from the gambling regions of the casinos. These would thus be readily available to tourists just . Chief Minister Parrikar disclosed a mechanism for the avoidance of Goans from gambling at the state’s casinos would be put in place once a gambling commissioner who will oversee the industry and its impending re-regulation is made.

The appointment of an official who would be tasked with monitoring the industry’s growth under the rules would, also, be clarified in greater detail in the new coverage, which is currently being crafted by Goa lawmakers.

Located in western India, Goa is one of the country’s lowest states in terms of population. It is currently home to approximately 1.8 million people. However, it has become particularly popular with tourists due to its stretches of shore land.

Relocation of the Six Riverboat Casinos

Goa’s Chief Minister also provided information about the projected relocation of the six offshore casinos onto dry soil . The centers will be relocated to specially designated entertainment zones, which would be better detailed in the new policy.

The six casinos will be issued licenses to operate on dry land should they submit their program within a year after the implementation of this new gambling policy, Chief Minister Parrikar said on Friday. The official went on to explain that licenses for the operation of casinos at the designated entertainment zones will be legitimate for 10 to 15 years due to the massive investment running such properties needs.

Goa’s riverboat casino movement reform has been in the building for several years now but has never made it to eventual implementation, but Mr. Parrikar said he’s committed to presenting and executing the changes at the end of the month. In addition, he stated that the crucial rules and details concerning the appointment of a gambling commissioner in the state would be rolled out from the close of the year.

Analyst Grant Goversten from brokerage firm Union Gaming Securities Asia Ltd. has stated in a note from earlier this year which Goa’s currency marketplace has the potential to generate annual gross gambling revenue of up to $1 billion as it changes its riverboat casino operations onto dry land as part of larger entertainment zones.

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