Three years after Goa appointed a dedicated Gaming Commissioner to oversee the state’s casinos, official rules designed to streamline and regulate casino operations are finally ready for approval.
According to a report by the Times of India, the Home Department has now finalized its casino rules and submitted them to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for final approval – a significant step forward for the local industry.
Despite appointing the Gaming Commissioner more than three years ago in March 2019, the absence of any framed rules has until now meant that his duties were not defined.
However, once approved, he will assume full control over Goa’s casino operations, including its six offshore casinos, including licensing, tax collection, the issuance of entry tickets to customers and what games can be offered.
He will also have the ability to order casinos closed should there be any breaches.
However, it remains unclear what the future holds for Goan locals after the state government previously issued a ban on locals entering casinos as of 1 February 2019. Such an order has yet to be implemented due to operators challenging the issue in the high court.