Goa CM reveals state Casino policy is under consideration of state government

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Samant has revealed that the state Casino policy is under the consideration of the state government.

Casinos in Goa, operating in the Mandovi river, is a big revenue generator for the local government, with the Chief Minister revealing in February 2020 that offshore casinos, in the last nine years, generated Rs 785,52,97,280 to State revenue while the contribution of onshore casinos was Rs 491,76,56,198 till January 20, 2021, which combined to the tune of Rs 1277,29,53,478.

However, with opposition and locals opposing the casinos operating at the river, they were mooting to move them to the land allocated to MOPA Greenfield International Airport in North Goa, although CM granted an extension of a further six months.

When Opposition leader Digambar Kamat brought the issue of Casino Policy once again, in a written reply, Samant stated that the policy is under consideration of the state government as well as the draft rules for the power of the Gaming Commissioner is also under consideration.

Sawant further added that there was no prescribed entry fee for onshore and offshore casinos as per the GST Act which was effective from July 2018 by the Commercial tax department of the state.