Locals in Goa would be banned from playing in casinos from 2019 once the government appoints a gaming commissioner to regulate the operations, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Friday.
On the final day of the Assembly’s monsoon session, Mr. Parrikar stated that a casino policy would be unveiled. He also said that the offshore casinos operating in the Mandovi river would be relocated to special designated zones which will be notified in the policy.
“As a policy, Goans will not be permitted to enter the casino playing areas and only visiting tourists shall be permitted. A mechanism in this regard will be put in place once the gaming commissioner is appointed and appropriate rules for regulation shall be formulated,” Chief Minister stated.
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“Licences for offshore casinos will be issued provided they grant their willingness within a year’s time from the date of policy being declared to shift their operations to notified designated zones,” Mr. Parrikar said. He further added that six operating offshore casinos would be allowed to complete the relocation rocess.
“Licences 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,” Mr. Parrikar said.