There are 14 land-based and 4 offshore casinos operating within Goa’s borders.
Commenting on the new regulations, Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said that local officials made the decision to introduce such rules due to the negative effects gambling venues have had on residents of the state over the past several years.
““Under the new rules, all gambling-related advertisements will have to be approved by the local gambling regulator. In addition, the regulations would require all casino owners to obtain photo identity of their customers, both Goa residents and tourists
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As mentioned above, if the new regulations are approved by lawmakers and eventually come into force, Goans will be banned from entering local casinos. If, however, a Goa resident really wants to visit such a venue, they will have to obtain special permission from the state Gaming Commissioner.
Speaking of the Gaming Commissioner, one will be appointed once the new regulations are adopted. It will be the Commissioner’s responsibility to regulate the state gambling industry.
Under the new rules, all gambling-related advertisements will have to be approved by the local gambling regulator. In addition, the regulations would require all casino owners to obtain photo identity of their customers, both Goa residents and tourists.
Casino visitors will have to arrange their visits at the reception or the gaming area. Goa’s 18 casinos will need to ensure that they have captured video images of all customers and to keep those records for a 30-day period from the end of each calendar month.
However, the Gaming Commissioner will not have the authority to decide the new locations of the offshore casinos that are to be moved at a certain point in future.
At present, only people aged 18 and over are allowed to enter the premises of Goa’s 18 gambling venues.
The new casino regulations also call for an increase in the existing entry fee. Visitors are now charged INR700 in order to be able to enter any of the state’s casinos. If the new rules are adopted, they will have to pay the amount of INR1,000.
Under the new regulations, electronic fiscal devices would be used for ticketing, in order for checks on the entry tickets issued to be carried on a real time basis.