Goa Chief Minister praises casinos

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said casinos are an important part of tourism in the Indian region and assessed their future.

India.- The future of Goa casinos is still uncertain, but Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assessed their importance. The official explained they are a very important part of the tourism industry as they attract tourists.

“During one of the media interviews, I was asked whether I support casinos. Casinos are one of the important parts of tourism as they attract tourists… of course, it is there,” Sawant said. 

“We are getting direct and indirect revenue from the tourism industry. Now it depends on the stakeholders how to grow the industry, while the government can provide necessary infrastructure for them,” the chief minister said. 

“We want to make it 100%,” he said. 

Goa residents barred from casino gambling

The state government recently announced plans to ban residents from entering casino floors. However, the authorities didn’t set any timeline for the implementation of such a controversial measure.

Chief Minister Sawant told the Legislative Assembly that the government will fix a date to enforce the prohibition. After that, no Goa residents will be allowed in any casino —not the six offshore venues nor the eight land-based operations.

“I am of the opinion that Goans should not be allowed in casinos. The Goa Gambling Policy makes it clear that casinos are allowed only for tourism purpose and not for Goans to visit,” Sawant said. 

“We have to sit and fix a date to ban Goa residents from casinos. They would be barred from entering offshore and onshore casinos,” he assured.