Casinos in Goa, but no Goans would be in casinos

Panaji: Announcing that a proposed bill seeks to impose a complete ban on the entry of locals into casinos, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday said only the tourists checking into hotels will be allowed there.

"The casino passes will be made available in the hotels. Those who come here just to play at the casinos will not be allowed. They will have to check into hotel," Parrikar said, revealing provisions under the Casino Bill, to be tabled during the ongoing session of Goa Assembly.

The Chief Minister said there will be a complete bar for local.

The coastal state has 14 casinos, six of them off-shore, on the ships anchored in river Mandovi.

Even the under-21 years tourists would not be allowed.

Those found at casinos without pass would pay a stiff penalty. Parrikar said that the owner too would be fined heavily in such cases.

In the recent budget, BJP government had cut the price of casino pass from Rs 2,000 to Rs 500, which drew criticism from the right-wing groups.

The coastal state has 14 casinos, six of them off-shore, on the ships anchored in river Mandovi.

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