PORVORIM: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday told the state legislative assembly that the casino policy is under the consideration of the government.
“The draft rules stipulating power and duties of the gaming commissioner are also under the consideration of the government,” Sawant said in a written reply to a question tabled by opposition leader Digambar Kamat.
The government has been deliberating on a casino policy since 2017 but hasn’t reached any conclusion so far. Delays in notifying the casino policy has consequently deferred the appointment of a gaming commissioner.
Also pending is the shifting of offshore casinos to other locations. To a question by Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte, Sawant said that the cabinet had decided to extend the licences of offshore casinos up to March 31 and that the process of shifting the casinos to the identified sites is under examination. The Captain of Ports, has recommended several alternative locations. The government, however, is yet to arrive at a conclusion in the matter, an official said.