The Goa government on Monday introduced a bill which seeks to disallow the locals from entering the casinos, allowing only tourists above 21 years of age.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar tabled Goa Gambling (Amendment) Bill, 2012 in the Assembly, which also prescribes six years’ imprisonment or fine of Rs 10 lakh for the casino owner, if a local is found at the establishment.
Only exception to the ban would be those Goans who are working at casinos.
Goa has six off-shore (ship-based) and 16 on-shore casinos.
The bill also creates an authority called Gaming Commissioner, which will have the right to give tourist permits to the visitors for visiting casinos.
The Commissioner will have the right to order closure, to seal any place in five star hotel, or to take custody of any casino ship.
The state government will have the right to inspect any ship anytime, and a tourist who is found without permit will be fined 10 times the permit fee.
Source: PTI
