Goa Finalizes Casino Rules and Waits for Final Approval

Categories: Around The Globe, News | Published by: Dave Thomas | 26 Apr 2022

The casino rules in the Indian state of Goa have finally been sent to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for approval. The gaming industry in Goa has been waiting for that to happen for three years.

Goa appointed a Gaming Commissioner three years ago, but the Home Department didn’t submit the legal framework detailing the duties of the Gaming Commissioner to the Chief Minister of Goa back then.

However, the rules that were created to reorganize and streamline gaming operations in the state have now been submitted, and the industry will wait for authorities to approve them.

The Gaming Commissioner Will Assume Full Control

Even though the Gaming Commissioner was appointed in March 2019, his duties have not yet been clarified or defined. That resulted in a Gaming Commissioner tasked with overseeing the Goa gaming industry, but working without a set of rules.

However, that will now change. Once the Chief Minister approves the new casino rules, the Gaming Commissioner will be able to do his job as intended and assume control of the Goa gaming industry.

That means the Gaming Commissioner will oversee the six offshore casinos operating on the decks of ships in Goa. He will also be in charge of:

Approving gaming licenses
Issuing entry tickets
Tax money collection
Determining which games casinos can offer

Should casinos not adhere to the new rules, the Gaming Commissioner will also have the authority to close them.

Ban for Locals to Enter Goan Casinos

One thing the new casino rules haven’t clarified, though, is what will happen with local casino enthusiasts in Goa. Goan casino players have been banned from entering casinos in the state as of February 2019.

Casino operators in Goa had a problem with that order, so they challenged it in the high court. As a result, the ban wasn’t implemented.

Goan casinos and players are hoping that the matter will be resolved, but three years after it was issued, there is little to suggest that Goan locals will get some clarity on the controversial order anytime soon.

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