Locals and youth to be barred from Goan casinos from Apr. 1

Tuesday 16th of February 2016

The Home Department of Goa has reportedly received a copy of the draft rules which will prevent Goan locals and those below 21 years from entering casinos, likely from Apr. 1, according to local media.

The Goa Public Gambling Act was amended in 2012 to ban locals and youth from entering casinos, but the government had not formulated the rules to implement the act. The rules also have a provision for the formation of an independent Gaming Commission to regulate casinos.

The rules have now been vetted by the Law department, and could be notified by the start of the next financial year.

“The Law department has made some observations which would be adhered to,” said additional secretary Home Sanjiv Gadkar, in a quote to Herald Goa. Gadkar did not disclose any further details but this has paved the way for publishing and notifying the rules. “The rules will be required to be placed before the cabinet as there is need to appoint a Gaming Commissioner,” he said.

According to a local official, the new rules will require every person entering casinos to display an ID card. “An identification document is a must as the fresh law will curtail people under the age of 21 years as well as Goans from entering offshore and onshore casinos. The government-appointed flying squad will keep a check to ensure its proper implementation.”

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