India’s government backtracks casino amendment

The coalition government reversed its decision to amend the current restrictions on the functioning of casinos.

India.- The BJP-led coalition government from India has announced its decision to amend the Goa Public Gambling Act in order to strengthen restrictions to casinos. However, it’s now decided to backtrack the decision as it believes that the existing law is enough to restrict casinos.

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Wednesday that there is currently no need to amend the act. “There is no need to undertake an amendment to the Gambling Act. In the existing Act itself, there are provisions to impose restrictions on casino functioning. There are enough powers in the existing law and we are going through it.”

Parrikar had announced his decision to set a casino policy to amend the Gambling Act, in order to further regulate the casino industry and introduce a gaming commission. He also said that the commission would not issue new casino licences to any boats that want to operate in River Mandovi, where six offshore casinos are currently offering their services.