Panaji: In a bid to dissuade youths from
visiting off shore casinos, Goa Government on Friday increased its
entry fees by ten times and also hiked the fee to procure
license to serve liquor on the floating gambling houses.
While the entry fee has gone up from Rs 200 to Rs 2,000,
the license fee has increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 10,00,000.
Presenting the additional budget, Goa's Chief Minister,
who also holds the Finance portfolio, termed the decision to
hike the entry fee as a step to discourage the youths from
falling prey to the lure of casinos.
"Youth are the future of the state and we do not wish
that they spend their money in casinos and fall prey to the
vices of gambling," he said.
Kamat said the increased entry fee would add Rs 36.50
crore annually to the state exchequer.
The budget also proposed to increase the license
processing fee for retail sale of liquor on vessels or crafts
used for the purpose of gambling and having license for casino
from Rs 25,000 to Rs 10,00,000.
Goa has five off shore casinos in its waters which have
come under scanner time and again from several NGOs and
Opposition members.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, which had led a scathing
attack on government for allegedly patronizing the casinos and
demanding their closure, said these measures would not
dissuade youths from going to casinos.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, July 24, 2009, 17:47