The
state
of
Goa
is
looking
to
become
the
casino
destination
of
the
South
Asia
region,
but
it's
drawing
some
hard
lines
when
it
comes
to
regulating
the
casino-if
not
the
entire
gambling-industry
in
the
state.
Goa
Public
Gambling
Act
Amended
The
Goa
legislative
assembly
recently
approved
the
Goa
Public
Gambling
(Amendment)
Bill,
2021.
This
would
amend
sections
3,4
and
11,
which
specifically
deal
with
fines
and
imprisonment
for
violators
of
the
state's
Public
Gambling
Act.
The
approved
amendments
call
for
imprisonment
of
up
to
three
years
or
fine
of
up
to
Rs
7,000
rupees,
or
both,
for
operators,
owners,
occupants
and
players
of
"common
gaming
houses."
According
to
a
report,
which
quoted
a
senior
official,
the
earlier
fine
for
violators
was
"very
nominal" so
they
"decided
to
impose
heavier
fines."
The
report
noted,
"The
quantum
of
fine
payable
under
the
penal
provisions
of
sections
3,
4
and
11,
being
meagre,
needs
enhancement.
And
on
account
of
the
same,
the
offences
punishable
under
the
said
sections
will
be
either
imprisonment
or
fine
or
both."
Goa
is
actively
promoting
casino
tourism
to
boost
its
economic
growth
after
the
high
courts
banned
iron
ore
mining
in
2012.
The
state
government
wants
to
expand
its
casinos-Goa
currently
has
eight
land-based
and
six
offshore
casinos-to
attract
tourists
who
otherwise
might
not
consider
visiting
the
Indian
state.
However,
casino
entry
in
Goa
remains
"essentially
for
tourists," with
state
officials
reportedly
examining
rules
that
will
ban
entry
of
Goa
residents
in
casinos-a
move
that
can
potentially
cause
Goa
to
lose
at
least
50%
of
its
revenue
stream.
Regulated
Gambling
Brings
New
Revenue
Streams
ENV
Media's
recent
study,
titled
Overview
of
Goa's
Casino
Communities,
noted
how
Goa's
expanding
casino
industry
is
"still
maintaining
an
annual
growth
rate
of
around
30%."
"Goa's
gambling
appeal
has
already
put
the
State
well
on
its
way
to
becoming
a
casino
capital
of
South
Asia.
The
uncertain
political
climate
in
another
nearby
casino
hub
(Kathmandu
in
Nepal)
and
the
unwritten
demands
of
higher
category
gambling
in
Macao
have
facilitated
Goa's
gambling
operations," ENV
Media
analysts
said.
Outside
of
casino
activities,
however,
state
authorities
are
watchful
against
what
they
consider
to
be
illegal
gambling
activities.
In
late
May,
authorities
in
South
Goa
arrested
11
people
at
an
alleged
online
gambling
den,
under
Sections
269
and
188
of
the
IPC
and
Sections
3
and
4
of
the
Public
Gaming
Act.
This
has
spurred
calls
for
regulation-on
grounds
that
not
only
will
it
bring
transparency
to
the
sector
but
will
also
provide
the
state
government
the
economic
growth
it
needs.
With
a
regulated
sector,
game
providers
will
have
more
room
to
give
Indian
players
what
they
want.
Historically,
Indians
have
played
mostly
Teen
Patti,
Rummy,
Matka,
Andar
Bahar,
and
poker
since
pre-digital
times-and
a
shift
to
a
digital
environment
can
be
advantageous
not
just
to
the
operators
and
players,
but
to
the
state
coffers
as
well.
Online
roulette
games
that
are
popular
around
the
world
can
be
tailored
for
Indian
players'
preference,
giving
the
domestic
market
an
even
wider
variety
of
offerings.
In
Goa's
case,
adding
regulated
online
casinos
will
bring
in
more
players
and
even
next-generation
revenue
streams
for
the
state.
"Digital
entertainment
is
increasingly
popular
in
all
of
its
shapes,
and
online
(mobile)
gaming
has
not
been
an
exception
in
tech-savvy
India
and
its
well-developed
state
of
Goa.
Internet
gaming
has
already
nurtured
a
community
of
gamblers
who
tend
to
look
for
safe,
legitimate,
and
regulated
gaming
platforms," according
to
the
ENV
Media
study.
Disclaimer:
This
is
a
Partnered
post.