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Casinos in Goa: The Challenge Ahead is to Implement Sustainable Strategies to

Minimize Their Ill-Effects

Article  in  Restaurant Business · December 2018

DOI: 10.26643/rb.v117i11.3884

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International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Systems
Volume 11 Issue 2 December 2018
ISSN: 0947-6250 (Print)
©Copyright IJHTS
® Exclusive Marketing Rights: Publishing India Group 

Casinos in Goa: The Challenge Ahead is to

Implement Sustainable Strategies to Minimize
Their Ill-Effects
Afonso Botelho*

Abstract  The government of Goa has been promoting casino tourism in Goa arguing that promoting casinos is necessary to bolster
the economic growth of Goa especially in the aftermath of the mining ban that deprived Goa and its government of the substantial revenue
generated through mining. The casino promotion, however, has met with strong protests in Goa from the time the government decided to
encourage casinos to expand the growth of tourism in Goa. Casinos have taken strong roots in Goa and clearing the ever-growing forest of
casinos is becoming more and more difficult as years roll by. The offshore casinos have almost fused with the landscape of Panjim making it
almost next to impossible to visualize Panjim and the river Mandovi sans the casinos. At this juncture, accepting, despite all opposition, that
the reality of Panjim ‘casinoscape’ will linger on into the future, the challenges ahead lie in implementing sustainable strategies to maximize
the gains from casinos and counteract the prospective ill-effects from casino type tourism instead of imagining a return back to the Panjim of
the 1990s and earlier.

Keywords:  Casinos, Economy, Employment, Crime, Strategies

INTRODUCTION Macau, ‘Las Vegas of the East’, the total gaming revenue
amounted to $45.1 billion in 2013 in comparison to Las
For some time now casino gambling, compared to other vices, Vegas which generated only $6.5 billion (Benton 2015: 1).
is being increasingly accepted by society as a legitimate Macau casinos have engendered huge economic benefits
economic pursuit. People’s perception of casinos as pernicious and revenues through tax, prompting other Asian countries
dens of evil has undergone a drastic transformation and they to endeavour to achieve an economic windfall similar to the
have come to be accepted as catalysts addressing a number one experienced by Macau (ibid. 2).
of societal concerns and economic issues (Eadington 1999: Legal gambling, more than gambling in illegal settings, has a
136). Many public attitude surveys in countries like America broader appeal and as a consequence there is a proliferation
have indicated that a very high proportion of people consider of casino gaming leading to its emerging as another industry
it as an acceptable form of entertainment (ibid.). Casino offering asizeablerevenueto the government. The economic
gambling entertainment has experienced considerable dimension has been the major driving impetus to permit
growth and is becoming increasingly popular in many casino form of gambling in various parts of the globe. Legal
countries of the world. In a way, it is also a consequence casinos worldwide have increased from about fifteen in 1970
of strategies adopted by governments in a belief that it will to seventy-seven in the 1980s (Siu 2007 in Wan 2011: 63),
contribute to tourism development (ibid.127). and from seventy-seven nations permitting casino gambling
Huge successes in famous historic casino centers like Las in 1986 to 109 in 1996. By 2003, forty-eight of the fifty
Vegas, Monte Carlo, Macau, etc., have inspired governments states of the USA and 130 of the world’s 202 countries had
to authorize legal gambling within their jurisdictions. In legal casinos (ibid.; and Thompson, 2012: 195).

*
Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Rosary College of Commerce and Arts, Navelim, Salcete, Goa, India.
Email: [email protected]
 Afonso Botelho57

With the expansion of the Asian economy in the last offshore. Casinos have emerged as the new attractions
several decades, the Asian population which earlier found pulling national as well as international tourists to visit Goa,
travelling prohibitively expensive has started travelling. once a hot-spot for hippies, and now, increasingly known as
They are contributing to the global tourism industry and to an upcoming gambling destination.
casino resort legalization, too (Galaviz 2012: 87). Tourism
Seeking entertainment and leisure in gaming is an integral
is one of the world’s largest industries and in such tourism
part of Asia’s tradition having traditionally gambled in cards
related economies like South Korea, Cambodia, Malaysia,
and cockfights at home and in the streets (Moufakkir &
Philippines Myanmar, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore,
Timothy 2014: 86). Gambling, one of the oldest industries
etc., gambling has grabbed an important position since 1999
in the world and legal in India for centuries, was banned
and inspired by their gains other countries, too, are adopting
nationwide since 1867, but in 1998, law opened the door for
casinos as a strategy to attract more tourists to their regions
states to permit the activity (Thompson 2012: 207). Though
(Moufakkir & Timothy, 2014: 86).
a strong propensity for gambling is demonstrated by many
Indians as it is entrenched in Indian culture and society, of
OBJECTIVES the 29 States and various other union territories gambling in
the form of casino gaming is permitted only in two Indian
The paper attempts 1) to examine whether the assumptions, States and in the Union Territory of Daman and Diu.
that casinos are beneficial to the local economy, increase
entrepreneurial activities in the neighbourhood, provide William Britto, the first and only Goan to hold a casino
an opportunity for an increase in employment and lead to license, was instrumental in persuading the state government
an enhancement in public services, are based on factual led by Mr. Ravi Naik to amend The Public Gambling Act,
evidence; 2) to verify whether the reasons for the opposition 1976, in 1992 and for paving the way for the introduction of
to the expansion of casinos are supported by the findings of the first casino in Goa. Since 1992 when the first amendment
research based investigations in tourism and casino related came in to introduce vessel as places for gambling, a number
areas; and 3) to underscore the need to implement sustainable of amendments have been made in the Goa Legislative
strategies to maximize the gains from casinos and counteract Assembly in favour of casino industry till date.
the prospective ill-effects from casino type tourism. As stated by GMA (2016: 15) the land based casinos of
Goa are the ‘Deltin Suites, Casino Pearl, Dunes Casino,
METHODOLOGY Goldfinger Casino, Chances Casino, Crown Casino, Casino
Carnival, Casino Paradise, Casino Palms, Grand 7 Casino,
The first section of the paper begins with the observation that and Casino Dice’. The five offshore casinos located in the
gambling is increasingly accepted by people as a legitimate heart of the state capital, Panaji, in the Mandovi river are:
economic pursuit and that its spread has been facilitated with 1. Motor Vessel (MV) Pride of Goa or Casino Pride 2. MV
accompanying initiatives by heads of nations to legalize the Horseshoe (Deltin Royale Casino) 3. MV Boa Sorte (Casino
game. The next section discusses the emergence of casinos Pride 2) 4. MV Casino Royale (Deltin JAQK) and 5. MV
as new attraction to tourists to Goa along with the research Royale Floatel, an Offshore-cum-Floatel Hotel.
based literature review of articles in journals on tourism and
related themes. The literature review supports the positive The Goa government have facilitated the expansion of
impact of casinos on the economy, small businesses, casinos in Goa. Casinos have been promoted in tourism
employment and public services. Notwithstanding the areas due to their assumed capability of being the largest
positive contribution of casinos, they have been opposed by employers and their potential to attract a huge number of
individuals, the Church bodies and the NGOs. The reasons tourists who otherwise might not have considered visiting the
for this opposition have been delineated in the following said destination. Bringing in more tourists is seen as a source
section. Next, the possibility of finding a solution to the of potential revenue (Moufakkir & Timothy 2014: 86)and a
problems posed by concerned individuals and groups is panacea to economic and tourism woes (McCartney 2016:
explored with the assistance of studies conducted in areas 119). For instance, after casino licensing was liberalized
promoting casino-based tourism. Finally, an effort is made in Macau, the gaming industry experienced rapid growth
to investigate the strategies utilized by gambling centred reaching a high of US 10.33 billion dollars in 2006 (Central
economies so as to offer some recommendations which Intelligence Agency 2008 in Wan et al. 2011: 64). A reliable
could be implemented to alleviate if not eradicate the adverse impact of gambling is increase in governmental revenue,
impacts associated with casinos. received directly from gambling provision or indirectly from
taxation of gambling venues and operations in the form of
CASINO GAMBLING IN GOA licensing fees, goods and services tax, etc. In Macau, the
casinos contributed immeasurably to the Gross National
Goa, the erstwhile Portuguese colony and an emerging Product which increased from 11 percent in 2001 to 80
tourist destination offers casino gaming both on land and percent in 2014 (McCartney 2016: 121). Goa also earns over
58 Casinos in Goa: The Challenge Ahead is to Implement Sustainable Strategies to Minimize Their Ill-Effects

200 crores from the casino industry (The Goan, Panaji, 4 concern which fuel all opposition to casinos: firstly, the
August 2017: 1). The revenue generated for the financial year opposition to the concentration of offshore casinos in the
2014-15 was 195.1 crores, for 2015-16 it increased to 214.2 Mandovi and secondly, the fear of the social costs and crime.
crores and in 2016-17 the total revenue collected increased
even more to Rs. 334.0 crores (The Navhind Times, Panaji, OFFSHORE CASINOS IN RIVER
20 July 2017: 8).
MANDOVI
Secondly, casinos in Goa play an important role by supporting
several star hotels near Mandovi in Panjim. These hotels In 1998 the State government amended the Public Gambling
experience an increase in occupancy, especially because of Act, 1976, to allow offshore casinos in Goa. In 2007 the
the domestic tourists (The Navhind Times, Panaji, 20 July Pratap Singh Rane’s government gave licenses to five
2017: 8). The editor of the Navhind Times wrote, ‘the footfalls offshore casinos and the Leela group introduced ‘Casino
have been increasing and the hotels, restaurants and other Rio’ in River Sal but soon shifted it to River Mandovi due to
allied tourist businesses in Panaji and around have profited opposition from locals in Salcete against the dredging of the
from tourist arrivals for casinos (The Navhind Times, Panaji, river and the destruction of the traditional fishing industry
21 July 2017). It has been found that casinos do lead to an so as to accommodate a floating casino (Buncombe 2007).
increase in entrepreneurial activities in its neighborhood. On 20th May 2008, BJP activists held a protest against the
Gaming stimulates entrepreneurial activity attracting other operation of casinos in river Mandovi. There was a strong
businesses catering to the gamers like magnets. There is an opposition to the docking of casinos in river Mandovi and a
influx of wealth, through the requirement of overnight stays call to shift them out to the sea. From the time the BJP came
by tourists, entertainment and also sightseeing opportunities to power, however, instead of banning the casinos or pushing
created as a result of destination casinos (Cotti 2008: 113). them out to the sea, the BJP government attempted to locate
Thirdly, casinos have contributed to employment generation them in rivers elsewhere: the four areas identified as the new
in Goa (Herald, Panaji, 20 July 2017: 1). Korn et al (2003 possible locations were Aguada Bay and the three rivers
in Chan et al 2015: 86) states that in gambling cities like of Sal, Chapora and Zuari. The Home Department invited
Las Vegas and Macau, the idea that gambling industry stakeholders to submit their comments and objections, if
simultaneously brings with it employment thereby alleviating any, to the proposed locations and received more than 2,450
poverty has been internalized by the residents. With the end letters of objections, with a strong reservation from the
of the gaming monopoly and increase of casinos in Macau local fishing community expressing apprehension over the
the key economic measures, viz., the GDP, employment and possible loss of their livelihood subsequent to the dredging
tax revenue have experienced growth year after year (Benton of the waters to accommodate the casinos. (Pokerguru 2015).
2015: 12-13). The Chicalim Sarpanch firmly opposed the proposal to shift
the offshore casinos in the river off Chicalim. (The Goan,
Fourthly, casinos in Goa have helped in enhancing the Panaji, 14 July 2016: 2). Commenting on offshore casinos
tourism sector in the state (Herald, Panaji, 20 July 2017: 1). the editorial on ‘The Goan’ stated that the offshore casinos in
Casinos are known to bring about an enhancement in Public the river off Chicalim will ultimately change the complexion
Services. Public services like health care, education and of the village including the surrounding areas. Vehicular
social services and social security are said to be enhanced as traffic will increase and disturbances during the night will be
a consequence of the introduction of gambling (Evans and a common phenomenon (The Goan, Panaji, 15 July 2016: 6).
Topoleski 2003 in William et al., 2011: 126).
Further, a newly formed front called ‘United for Mother
Despite the benefits accruing from casinos, time and again, Goa’, held a token protest led by Mr. Prajal Sakhardande
however, individuals, opposition parties, organizations and against offshore casinos demanding that the offshore casinos
different other agencies have opposed casinos in Goa. The be shifted as they have polluted the river affecting marine
opposing views and perspectives of the local community in life (Herald, Panaji, 29 August 2016: 3). There have been
Goa, with regard to casino development and the opposition protests even at an individual level. Social activist Mr.
of the Goan populace to casinosare dealt with in the next Kashinath Shetye filed a Public Interest Litigation case in
section. the High Court of Bombay at Goa contending that as per the
Opposition to Casinos Act, table gaming and gambling board is permitted only in
an offshore vessel, and not in vessels in the inland waters.
Casinos have been promoted as means to enhance tourism To permit live gambling the location of such vessels must be
economy, but such promotion is also accompanied by at a distance of 12 nautical miles or else they are violating
controversies. As far as Goa is concerned, scrutinizing the the law of the land (Herald, Panaji, 29 September 2016).
various protests against casinos in Goa and the objectives Commenting on offshore casinos being an eyesore, Gomes
behind them, one finds that there are two main areas of (2016) wrote, ‘What offshore casinos have brought to Goa
 Afonso Botelho59

is increased traffic congestion, on land and water, a visual issues, traffic related problems and driving hazards can
eyesore that has ruined the magnificent waterway -Mandovi cause great frustration. The situation does become grim with
- and resentment among local residents. These floating regards to traffic volume leading to vehicular congestion,
monsters anchored in Mandovi are an ugly spot’. and noise and air pollution (Perdue et al. 1995 in Moufakkir
and Timothy 2014: 92).
Besides, concerns have also been raised over the sewage
that is dumped into the Mandovi by the offshore casinos One of the ways in which the disorder created by the clutter
cum floating restaurants. The Goa State Pollution Control of the casinos in Mandovi may be reduced is by taking a leaf
Board conducted studies in 2014 and 2015 revealing that from Hong Kong. In Hong Kong the casino ships leave port
the water in river Mandovi had alarmingly high levels of and sail out to the sea each evening and the patrons gamble
coliform bacteria. Also, a massive study carried out over six in the deep seas all through the night (Gomes 2016: 8). Or
years by National Institute of Oceanography (2002-2007) they could be restricted to onshore casinos to be permitted
showed that river Mandovi water had levels of bacteria far in 5 star hotels only. There is no necessity that the casinos
higher than the permissible limits rendering the river unsafe should be offshore. Casinos on Mandovi occupy a large
for consumption, recreational bathing and water sports. The space of the river causing damage to the river ecology and
authorities, however, gave a clean chit to the offshore vessels inconvenience to the ferry commuters. They also add to the
stating that they have complied by the conditions required daily traffic violations of ‘No Parking’ rules by both private
with regards to the disposal of sewage (Herald, Panaji, 21 vehicles and public taxis ferrying casino customers. They
January 2015). could be restricted to onshore casinos just as they are in
Daman, Sikkim, Nepal and in the world capital of gambling
Las Vegas (The Navhind Times, Panaji, 21 July 2017).
Casinos, Crime and Social Costs
The Chief Minister, Mr. Parrikar announced during the
Protest against on shore casinos began much earlier. On monsoon session of the state Assembly that the government
11 September 1992, the then Director of Goa´s Diocesan will not issue any more fresh casino licenses to five-star
Service Center for Social Action (DSCSA) opposed the hotels and will put a cap on the number of offshore casinos in
government’s move to set up casinos stating that they Mandovi limiting the number to only five. The government
will further deteriorate the moral fabric of the Goan will also amend the Goa Gambling Act and will not permit
society (Ucanews 1992) Voluntary groups including casino vessels in the river Mandovi after three years but
BailanchoManch deplored the move to give respectability to they will be given the option of moving on to the land in
gambling stating that it will invite organized crime (Ucanews the specially designated entertainment zone (The Navhind
Times, Panaji, 25 July 2017: 1). Curchorem, Canacona and
1996). Zubair Ahmed in a BBC News item entitled ‘From
Mopa are some of the places which are already bidding to
hippy hang-out to casino capital’ stated that ‘Goa is on the
host the land casinos (The Navhind Times, Panaji, 26 July
road to becoming the casino capital of South Asia’(Zubair
2017: 10).
2007). The same write up quoted the then opposition leader
Mr. Parrikar condemning the casinos and labeling them Efforts at creation of an efficient transportation system can
‘criminal oriented, prostitution oriented’. Yet another time, cope with the increase in the number of visitors by reducing
even the Independence Day celebrations were marked the traffic congestion on roads. Williams et al (2001:
by protests against the casinos. Sudip Dalvi who swam 37) states that casinos add to infrastructure value of the
the Mandovi protested against the casino vessels parked community, though not to a great extent, especially, when it
midstream in river Mandovi saying ‘The casino lobby, the leads to construction of upgrades like better roads, electrical
drugs mafia and prostitution rackets are together a nexus supply and sewage facilities.
of evil, and have common clients’ (sify.com 2013). Sabina Secondly, an assumption prevalent among people is that
Martins of Aam Auraat Aadmi Against Gambling (AAAAG) there exists a linkage between casinos and crime. The crime
claimed that the casino entry into Goa has increased the rate rate in Goa, however, has not increased because of casinos
of crime, drunken rage and rise of escort services in the area, (Navhind Times, Panaji, 20 July 2017: 1). In fact on the floor
while the government is busy minting money and indifferent of the state Assembly, it was stated that the crime rate in the
to the local issues (Pokerguru 2016). state ‘had fallen for three consecutive years from 4467 cases
Is there a Solution to the Problems of Offshore Casinos in 2014 to 2693 in 2016 (Gomantak Times, Panaji, 24 July
and Crime? 2017: 3).

Firstly, gambling tourism has the potential to create It must be noted that casinos are mostly owned by corporations
environmental problems, degrading the ecology of the place which fall under the purview of the government regulations
and increasing the pollution levels of the surroundings (Walker, 2013 in Benton, 2015: 17). As such, what is of
beyond the accepted and permitted limits. Traffic volume real concern is whether there is any conclusive proof of the
increases with the opening of casinos, and the transportation increase of crimes associated with casinos such as money
60 Casinos in Goa: The Challenge Ahead is to Implement Sustainable Strategies to Minimize Their Ill-Effects

laundering, drug trafficking, theft, abuse, prostitution, etc. improved quality of life with respect to poverty, income,
wherein criminal, organized gangs are involved. employment and ownership of houses as revealed by the
study of Gonzales, Lyson and Mauer (2007). Further,
Research seeking a linkage between casinos and crime has
Rato and Davey (2012) are positive with regard to quality
proven to be inconclusive. Vong (2004 in Benton 2015:
of life in terms of ‘life expectancy, health, interpersonal
23) claims that there has been a decrease in organized
relationships, sense of security, communication, economic
crime in Macau, as a result of market pressure forcing
situation, security for the future, etc. Macau, according to
the local casino companies, since 2002, to beef up their
Vong (2010) has achieved a strong financial base and surplus
administration and gaming management so as to prevent
revenue registering a surplus of US $13.6 billion (Xinhua
the infiltration of organized criminal gangs. Lo (2005 in
News Agency 2008) because of casinos. Credit is also due to
Benton 2015: 23) also found a decrease in organized crime
the government for deciding to share the surplus revenue by
post 2002. In Singapore, for instance, a Casino Regulatory
giving them cash allowances increasing the personal income
Authority has been established to achieve its twin objectives
of Macao residents.
of ‘keeping crime out of casinos and ensuring the integrity of
gaming’ (Henderson 2012: 142). Arguably such regulatory
infrastructure does help arresting casino related crimes. STRATEGIES AND
Gambling or pathological, compulsive gambling with RECOMMENDATIONS TO MINIMIZE
incidences of bankruptcy, alcoholism, drug addiction, THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF
divorce, suicide, etc., destroy individuals and their families.
CASINOS IN GOA
The Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming at the
University of Macau (ISCG 2009 in Benton 2015: 22) The paper also explores the possibility of carrying on
conducted two surveys in Macau and found that problem gambling activities in the casinos while simultaneously
gamblers in Macau increased from 4.3 percent (or 13,666 attempting to investigate how best the adverse impacts of
people) in 2003 to 6 percent (or 24,162 people) in 2007. Hong casino development may be reduced to the bare minimum
Kong and Singapore, the neighbours of Macau, however, did by introducing appropriate policies. Several social benefits
not experience a similar increase in the numbers of problem accrue from encouraging casinos but the question to consider
gamblers. According to the statistics of the Institute for the is whether the positive consequences outweigh the negative
Study of Commercial Gaming (2009 in Benton 2015: 22), impacts.
the average rate of problem gambling, both in Hong Kong
and Singapore decreased from 5.9 percent in 2001 to 4.5 It is speculated by experts and casino owners that the casino
percent in 2008 and 4.4 percent to 2.9 percent from 2004 to industry will be experiencing a rapid expansion in the next
2008 respectively. few decades especially because of the demand created by the
fast-increasing Indian middle class who enjoy travelling and
The study of Wan et al (2011: 63) investigating the social the simultaneous increase in the foreign tourists. Casinos,
consequences of casinos revealed a number of social benefits though welcomed by private entrepreneurs and government,
such as an increase in personal income, greater financial are nevertheless controversial type of visitor attractions
powers, improved landscape, development of infrastructure, which engender much deliberation, both, for and against.
and also facilities providing entertainment; and recreation
visibly enlarged after the expansion of casinos in Macau Singapore, for instance, has brought about a paradigm
from 2002. The surplus budget allowed the government shift in its belief system which considered gambling to be
to double up the public expenditure on environmental something that has to be resisted, by proceeding with the
protection during 2004 and 2006 (DSPA 2006 in Wan et al., construction of casino inclusive integrated resorts. The
2011: 70). The entertainment and recreation facilities also casinos are believed to be essential for the financial viability
saw an increase since the government stipulated that apart of the integrated resort. In Singapore a public consultation
from the taxes payable to the government the concessionaires exercise through letters, emails, polls, surveys, dialogues,
were also under an obligation to contribute towards urban assessed the public sentiments vis-à-vis casinos in Singapore
development, tourism, social security, academics, charity, revealing that about half of the respondents agreed with the
etc. (DICJ 2009 in Yim et al. 2011: 70). potential of casinos to contribute to Singapore’s economic
and tourism development, and at the same time disagreed
With no definite units of measurement to measure quality that the social or negative consequences will outweigh the
of life in gaming regions, research around quality of life has benefits. (Public Consultation 2014) An admission fee was
yielded mixed results. The tourists visiting Macao repeatedly, envisaged for locals to limit problem gambling. Taking a
and the high quality of life are directly connected and as cue from Integrated Resorts promoted in Singapore, casino
such the residents completely support gambling activities policy in Goa, without doing away completely with the
there (McCartney 2005). Casino gaming is associated with gambling component considered necessary for the financial
 Afonso Botelho61

viability of the project, should be revamped to bring about all commercials promoting delusional beliefs with regard
a metamorphosis of the casinos into some eye-catching to gambling paybacks. The government can and should use
arcades or galleries offering, besides gambling opportunities, all media at its disposal for awareness campaigns to better
facilities for shopping, dining, conferencing, water theme inform the gamblers of the dire consequences of excessive
park, museums, aquariums, conventions and exhibitions as gambling. Casino operators must also be encouraged by the
well as theatre. The two Integrated Resorts in Singapore, government through various incentives to exercise corporate
according to Leu and Ko (2012: 174), have successfully social responsibility and make efforts to identify potential
achieved their objective of attracting tourists to Singapore problem gamblers and advise them appropriately.
which has experienced an increase in total visitor arrivals
Some checks and balances to be prescribed may include:
from 9.7 million in 2009 to 11.6 million in 2010.
government policy restricting youngsters from working in the
Goa like Macau, is a former Portuguese enclave and is a state casinos by increasing the age limit for casino workers thereby
within the most important emerging economy, India, and has preventing dropouts from schools and colleges; putting in
been promoting gambling to boost tourism and economic place a comprehensive master plan by the government with
development. As such, it is imperative that it endeavours guidelines for environmental protection to prevent water
to devise a system of regulation that will keep in check the pollution and development of better infrastructure and
possible adverse consequences resulting from the promotion transportation system which would encourage smooth flow
of casinos. In the primarily beach-based Goan tourism, of traffic and alleviate traffic jams and congestions; small and
casinos increase and diversify the attractions offered by the medium-sized local businesses contributing to sustainable
destinations thereby revitalizing Goan tourism. Combining tourism development but in danger of being cannibalized by
the casinos, beach, heritage sites, hospitality of the people, the larger casinos may be provided with necessary business
and the other attractions of leisure, the tourism industry in training and financial subsidies to help them enhance their
Goa will contribute to the enhancement and the development capabilities to withstand any competition from the casinos;
of the destination image thereby drawing more tourists to Denial of entry to locals as is done in Nepal or in South
Goa. Korea, or entry fees to casinos being increased to deter the
locals from gambling. If locals are at all allowed there must
The casino gaming industry in Goa is aiming at expansion
be regulations to encourage only mature and responsible
of its activities and in this process of its continual growth
gambling behavior and exclude problem gamblers from
and evolution, Goa’s unshackled casino industry needs
casinos; establishing exclusionary measures and visit limits
to be regulated by an official gaming commission. The
to bar a person from either entering the casino or to put
commission that will regulate operations of both offshore and
a cap on the number of times that a person may enter the
onshore casinos and also enjoy penalizing powers fashioned
casino; introducing casino surveillance system ensuring
on the lines of the Nevada Gaming Commission was first
continuance in the recording of the gambling activities; not
announced in 2010, but despite consistent demands by civil
permitting the use of credit cards and postdated cheques by
society, has not yet been established to check any illegalities.
local citizens if they are allowed to enter casinos; making
It was reported earlier that the state Law Department had
violation of these regulations strictly liable to disciplinary
vetted the draft rules banning all Goans and those under the
action such as imposition of fines, suspension of license
age of 21 years from entering the casinos. However, it is
or even revocation of licenses of the casino operators by
believed that the Goa Public Gaming Rules 2017 are still
the regulatory authority; tackling gambling addiction by
being fine-tuned and revised to see to it that visitors on board
initiating educational awareness to provide counselling for
the casinos are non-Goans and above 21 years of age (Verma
gamblers; and introducing casino crime prevention authority
2017). According to latest reports the policy is supposed to
with stringent laws to curb casino related crimes.
be ready in about six months from now, that is, by January
or February 2018 (The Navhind Times, Panaji, 26 July 2017:
10). REFERENCES
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