PANAJI, Goa -- A major political party in the Indian state of Goa is asking its government to reconsider plans to relax gaming laws applying to locals and instead adopt a more stringent policy.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is looking to follow Singapore's lead in imposing a stringent law to discourage Goans from patronizing the offshore casinos operating in Goa. BJP Secretary-General Wilfred Mesquita told reporters that they would work with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and convince him to reconsider proposals in the state's budget to lower the casino entry fee of locals from Rs 2,000 (US$40) to Rs 500 (US$10).
In Singapore, while locals 21 years and above are allowed to enter casinos, they have to pay a hefty entry fee. The idea is to deter the local populace from gambling and avoid social problems arising from it, addiction being the most obvious.
The BJP is hoping that Goa's government will follow suit and not push through with plans to lower the casino entry fees to Goa's six offshore casinos.
"The government is coming out with a legislation probably on the lines of Singapore, where there is age limit to enter casinos," Mesquita said.
The party has been at the forefront of protesting the offshore casinos which they claim were a bad influence on the people.
