Pramod Sawant, the chief minister of Goa, promised to take down signs endorsing online gambling and casinos in Sri Lanka. The guarantee was given on Tuesday during a House session in response to worries expressed by MLA Vijai Sardesai of the Goa Forward Party.
Sardesai brought up the subject of illegal casino ads in Goa during Question Hour. He underlined that the Goa Daman and Diu Gambling Act’s Section 12 was broken by these advertisements.
“Sri Lankan casinos are advertising in Goa. I had raised this issue earlier. I even lodged an official complaint with the Home Department citing that casinos from other countries are advertising here by violating Section 12 of the Goa Daman and Diu Gambling Act. But nothing was done,” Sardesai said.
Sardesai criticized the officials’ slow response to the problem and questioned the legality of online gaming advertisements in light of the GST Council’s stance. “Online gaming is considered illegal. The GST Council doesn’t allow online gaming. So how are these advertisements being allowed,” he questioned.
Government’s Response and Action Plan
In response, Chief Minister Sawant informed the House that a case had been registered at the Porvorim police station concerning these unauthorized ads. “We are taking action against such unauthorised hoardings. We have taken legal opinion, and more cases will be registered,” he told the House.
Sawant further assured that the state government would remove or demolish hoardings advertising Sri Lankan casinos and online gaming operations. He emphasized that these ads were not generating any revenue for the state and were exploiting the unfinished advertising policy.
“Hoardings of those having casinos in Sri Lanka and trying to operate online gaming from here will not be allowed. The state is not earning any revenue out of it. Our advertising policy is not finalised, and they are taking benefit of it. But I can assure you that we will pull down the hoardings or raze them,” Sawant said.
By addressing these unauthorized advertisements, the Goa government aims to uphold local laws and ensure compliance with regulations on gambling and online gaming.
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