New Goa CM says he will study proposed casino policy

Newly appointed Goa Chief ෴Minister Pramod Sawant has indicated that he has not yet decided his approach towards offshore casinos in the state and noted that he will need some time to decide the state governmen🥂t’s attitude towards the gaming industry in the state.

Sawant, in an interview to The Times of India, when asked a pointed qu🍷estion on the draft casino policy framed by his predecessor Manohar Parrikar (which was on the verge of finalisation), that envisaged shifting of offshore casinos from River Mandovi to a designated area on land, without studying the subject.

He added that he will have a look at the draft casino policy framed by the state government. He further assured the newspaper th❀at he will study the subject carefully and revert with his stand in the days to come.

Sa🔯want succeeded Parrikar as the 13th Chief Minister of Goa after Parrikar passed away on 17th March following a prolonged illness.

In August 2018, Parrikar had announced on the floor of the legisl🀅ative assem🥂bly that the state government would within the next one month, be framing a policy to shift offshore casinos to a designated area on land within the next four years. He had also stated that🎶 long term licenses of 10-15 years will be granted to casino companies that agree to shift out of River Mandovi.

The casino p💃olicy as envisaged by Parrikar would also have included appointment of a Gaming Commissioner to oversee casino🔴 activities in the state and banning local Goans from playing in casinos.

Due to Parrikar’s sustained illness over the past one year, the finalisation and notification of the casino policy could not be completed, which compelled the Goa cabinet to grant a six month extension to offsho🦂re casinos to continue functioning from the River Mandovi.