Goa government to discuss gaming cluster proposal

In a draft tourism policy prepared by the Goa government, existing offshore casinos would be moved into a newly created international gaming cluster, Glaws reports.

However, the policy is still open for suggestions and would be discussed by state MLAs on January 16, 2019, in a meeting chaired by Goa Tourism Minister Manohar ‘Babu’ Ajgaonkar.

It is understood the policy also advocates the development of golf courses in the state, and also discusses the setting up of an overarching body, the Goa Tourism Board (GTB) to enforce regulations in the sector.

Last year, Goa’s state government announced a new draft bill that would envision a Las Vegas type casino town - a designated area for casinos that will offer both table and electronic gaming, which would not need to be tied to a five-star hotel.

India’s Herald newspaper, which claimed to have a copy of the draft bill at the time, said the new laws will prohibit any locals from entering the casinos. It will also keep existing restrictions on five-star hotels, which are only able to offer electronic gaming with no tables.

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