Goans not to be permitted in casinos: CM

PORVORIM: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Wednesday informed the Goa Legislative Assembly that Goans will not be permitted to enter offshore and on-shore casinos and a date to ensure its complete compliance will be announced soon.

Sawant, responding to the demand that Goans be banned from casinos said, “I am in agreement with the sentiments of the MLAs that Goans should not be allowed on the casinos. There are some tourists who come to Goa only for casinos.”

He added, “The act (anti-gambling act) is in place, however, the date for the ban on entry of Goans has not been announced and therefore after studying the act, very soon I will announce the date and take all (MLAs) into confidence while doing so. Establishing of the gaming zone and entertainment zone is in the process and it will be announced all together.”

He further said that 564 Goans and 877 non-Goans are employed in the six offshore casino and eight on-shore casinos in the State. 

Earlier demanding a ban on Goans entering the casinos, Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao said, “Singapore has banned locals and we should see how they have implemented that and follow the same in our State.”

Panjim MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate said, “In Macau locals are not allowed and they adhere to it strictly. I assure you that if locals are banned then the casinos will shut down. Macau does not require visa and it is easy to go to Macau, so someone wants to go to casinos then they will go there.”

Seeking the CM’s attention on the anti-gaming act, Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco said, “It is an anti-gambling act and ensure it remains an anti-gambling act and not a gambling act.”