Govt game for more cas(h)inos?
BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 6 The casino business in Goa under the Goa Gambling Act is
likely to witness a sea change as 21 applicants are aspiring for licenses to
kick-start off-shore casinos in the State.
While the government policy on off-shore casinos has stipulated the number at
five in addition to the exiting two, till date the Home Ministry has not
received compliance to all procedural requirements. These include obtaining of
licences from 2-3 authorities from national level and state-level bodies.
The government view is that in the scramble for a berth it would entertain
five on a first-come-first-serve basis.
The Caravela and Leela are the only two authorised off-shore casinos in Goa.
FEE HIKE: Interestingly, a proposal is in the offing to have the licensing fee
hiked for both off-shore and on-shore casinos which generates around Rs 13
crore revenue to the State.
Presently, as many as 10 on-shore casinos are operating through five-star
hotels.
The Home Ministry has observed some anomalies in on-shore casinos operation
over the category of slot machines and appears keen on tightening the screws so
that evasion of taxes, if any, is stopped.
Under Secretary (Home) Siddhivinayak Naik said, We are referring to Las
Vegas legislation on casinos, adding that changes are proposed to the Goa
Gambling Act that will enhance the powers of the Home Ministry over alleged
erring operators.
A committee, he disclosed, has also been constituted and headed by Naik with
members from the crime division of the Goa Police to conduct surprise checks
and raids.
Naik also disclosed that proposed changes in the Goa legislation on gambling
will ensure protection to players and deter operators from alleged tampering of
machines.
http://www.oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=654&cid=2
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