Rupesh Samant

Porvorim, Aug 8: The Goa government will fix a date after which Goans will not be allowed to enter casinos chief minister Pramod Sawant told the house on Wednesday.

“I am of the opinion that Goans should not be allowed in casinos. The Goa Gambling Policy makes it clear that casinos are allowed only for tourism purpose and not for Goans to visit,” Sawant said responding to Demands for Grants on Home Department during ongoing Session of the assembly.

“We have to sit and fix a date after which Goans will not be allowed to enter casinos. They would be barred from entering offshore or onshore casinos,” the chief minister said.

He said that the casinos are required for tourism industry as there are few people who fly down to Goa only to gamble in them (casinos).

Sawant said that he is yet to study Goa Gambling Act, after which he would come out with solutions.

Panaji MLA Atanasio Monserratte intervening during the reply said that if Goans are banned from entering the casinos, the industry will shut down within seven days.

Monserratte expressing his opposition to the casinos said that 90 per cent of the guests at these places are Goans.