Goa to amend Public Gambling Act

The Goa government will next year move the much-awaited amendment to the current Goa Public Gambling Act ensuring that no licences would be issued to any new offshore casinos.
The amendment would be introduced in the Budget session of the Legislative Assembly in February next year, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told reporters today.
"The amendment would define a particular date after which there will be no new casino licences issued to any ship," the chief minister said.
Goa currently has five offshore casinos which operate in River Mandovi in Panaji.
Parrikar said Goa will havea separate policy for casinos which will regulate this industry.

"The Casino Policy is ready. I will be circulating it to my Cabinet colleagues and will declare it the next month," he said.
The policy will include formation of Gaming Commission which will set guidelines for amending the Goa Public Gambling Act.