Puducherry on path to Legalise Casinos but LG expresses Opposition

The Union Terꩲritory of Puducherry may be on the path to legalise and permit casinos in the region after three years of dithering and deliberations.

As per media repor🔜ts, although the elected government headed by Chief Minister V Narayanasamy has almost made up its mind to allow casinos in the state for the purpose of promoting tourism, Lieutenant Governor (LG) saying that the government should keep the ‘wolf of gambling’ away from a spiritual and pristine Puducherry.

Bedi also stated that allowing casinos will impact the quality of domestic and inter🐭national tourists besides caus𒉰ing social problems.

Narayanasamyܫ however claimed that on whether casinos should be allowed in the territory and added that various locations like Goa, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore have casinos♈ to attract tourists.

He added that the LG is working wit🔜h a revengeful attitude and that Puducherry is in severe need of funds and permis🌃sion to allow lotteries, casinos and breweries would bolster the state exchequer.

The Chief Minister however noted that the legislative assembly will take a final decision on whether casinos and b🃏reweries will🐭 be allowed in the state or not.

Notably, the Puducherry govern🎀ment has been toying with the idea of allowing casinos within its territory since 2016. Narayansamy had indicated in July 2016 after assuming charge as CM that he was open to allowing offshore casinos in the UT for promoting t൩ouris🎉m, on the lines of Goa.

State Health & Tourism Minister Malladi Krishna Rao had also sꦓtated that the cabinet had disc🙈ussed the issue and was looking at permitting casinos in Puducherry, Karaikal, Mah🧔e and Yanam. A delegation of government officials from Puducherry had also proposed an official study tour to Goa to evaluate the model of allowing casinos.

Besides casinos, the Puducherry governꦫment is also likely to look at resta෴rting sale of state lotteries within and outside the UT to augment revenues.