No offshore and onshore casinos for Goans! CM Sawant bars locals from entering casinos, while allowing it for tourists

Triggering a debate on morality ahead of the rising demands of closure of the casinos, terming them a social evil, the BJP led Goa government on Wednesday announced that it would ban locals from entering the casinos operating in the coastal state, further refusing to commit any timeline for implementation.

READ:- NDRF continues its rescue operation in Maharashtra’s flood affected Kolhapur, Satara districts

“Barring the entry of Goans into the casinos was promised by the then chief minister Manohar Parrikar. However, the promise was never implemented. The government will fix a date after which Goans will not be allowed to enter the gambling dens”, said CM Pramod Sawant whole addressing the Legislative Assembly.

Citing the Goa Gambling Policy, CM Sawwant further said that he was of the opinion that Goans should not be allowed in casinos. “The Goa Gambling Policy makes it clear that casinos are allowed only for tourism purpose and not for Goans to visit”, he added.

READ:- For Space newshounds, ISRO comes up with ‘Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award’!

Having not studied the modulations of the Goa Gambling Act that governs the casinos, Sawant said that the casinos were required for the tourism industry, as few people flied down to Goa only to gamble. “It is not yet clear how the government proposes to implement the ban”, he confirmed.

“Operation of the casinos is a political hot potato in the coastal state. The state government has earned Rs 411 crore in revenue from onshore and offshore casinos in the financial year 2018-19”, he added.

COURTESY;- NEWS BHARATI