Goa is one of the progressive Indian states which has given green light to gambling within its borders and is reaping the benefits from this operation. For the past year casino operators have been operating without significant restrictions and regulations and this was expected to change with the recently proposed amendment of the Public Gambling Act, but as it turns out such altering would not take place for the time being.
Ever since its legalization in some restricted zones to the liking of Goa, Daman, and Sikkim, gambling in India has seen quite the development as the authorities put ongoing efforts to provide the public with competitive offerings. This came as no surprise to anyone interested in the field as the location provides opportunities for tourists to travel there and give their luck a try in the Indian state. The field has seen many casino operators developing their business and providing the community with their offerings.
There have been concerns expressed in the past that the gambling field is going to introduce problem gambling to the field and gaming addition is not to be underestimated by the authorities and the community. However, it should be taken into account that the field does not have a significant set of rules which aim to regulate and protect all parties involved in it. The year 1992 saw the anticipated amendment of the Public Gambling Act issued in 1976 and this legalized gambling offerings across the state.
In its essence, the amendment was not aiming to bring many restrictions to the future gaming field and this is visible by the current state in which developers manage their business. It could be recalled that the first days of June brought the news about a tax evasion issue related to the operation from 2014 to 2016, which raised more questions than gave answers. Both the casino operators and the authorities were convinced that their position is the correct one.
Goa Strive to Better Its Field Hits Roadblock
Situations such as this one were what initially triggered the thought that the framework should be updated and fortified in order to provide the field with a well-rounded set of regulations. For the time being there is no formal gaming commissioner which to oversee the field. Dr. Afonso Botelho, Associate Professor of Sociology at the Rosary College of Commerce and Arts in South Goa recently stated that the industry should welcome a specially designated commission which to provide the needed control.
This was among the changes which the amendment was supposed to be introduced, but as it turns out Goa’s Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has decided that there is no need of such. In a surprising turn of events, this Wednesday brought the news that the Public Gambling Act of 1976 would not be subjected to any changes. The reasoning provided for this lack of action was that the regulation in its current state is fully capable of providing the casino field with the needed restrictions where such are needed.
In addition to the proposed gaming commissioner, the field was also supposed to see the concrete definition of an “offshore” casino operation. This feature had the objective to facilitate the future operation of those six floating casino venues and prevent potential situations of conflict. Following the decision taken this Wednesday, regulation of the field would remain the same for the upcoming months until the need for proper regulation becomes bigger.
When it comes to casino operation, the region has witnessed a significant boost and at this point, both legal and illegal gambling facilities managed to generate more than US$60 billion over the span of a single year. Casino venues are able to provide attract more and more people to the region. Even though it has indeed had a controversial impact once it launched operation and gained speed, casino venues are sure to remain part of the entertainment landscape of the Indian state.
