Gaming Act & Rules have foolproof safeguards to prevent ill effects of gaming on local population, says James Sangma

“I would like to reiterate that these physical gaming premises are not meant for local population, they are exclusively meant for high worth individuals (Indians and foreigners) who are looking for safe entertainment options like gaming, while visiting the state for tourism or business or both purposes,” Sangma said while replying to a call attention notice brought by the opposition chief whip and Umroi legislator George B Lyngdoh in the Assembly.

He further stated that the locals would only benefit from the footfalls of such gaming premises in terms of employment opportunities, promotion of local art and culture, textiles, cuisine etc through local dance, music, indigenous food products, handicraft items, eri silk items etc.

The issue was raised following the stiff opposition of the Joint Action Committee against Casino (JACAC), which was formed by the pressure groups and Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong,  against the opening of casino in Ri Bhoi District.

He said the taxation department, had before notifying the Rules under the Act, placed the Rules in the public domain requesting members of the public to submit suggestions, if any, and a public notice for the same was published in the English and vernacular local newspapers on August 27, 2021.

However, due to non-receipt of any public responses, the department notified the Rules, by incorporation all the safeguards provided under the Act.

Sangma also said that the government while framing the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Acts and Rules, 2021 has taken similar steps to insulate the local population by incorporating provisions to bar entry into physical gaming premises for the local residents of the state.

He cited that Rule 19 (x) allows only those persons to enter the physical gaming premises who hold a valid ID proof, bearing address outside of Meghalaya, implying the local residents of the state would not be allowed entry into the physical gaming premises.

Stating that the state is blessed with great scenic beauty, the minister however said the government had also noted that other states in the neighbourhood have started to offer stiff competition to the state in the tourism sector, due to similar topography and some of them having additional attractions in the form of historical, architectural and archaeological structures.

“Therefore, the Government of Meghalaya had to find an unprecedented, atypical solution to attract tourists other than leisure/low budget tourists by offering niche tourism for the high worth tourists,” he said.

He also reminded that gaming in all its forms has been in practice throughout history and “we would deceiving ourselves by denying that it is not present in the state of Meghalaya.” According to him, for instance, betting on the game of archery has been legalized in the state since 1982 and it was very much prevalent before its legalization, which perhaps prompted the then government to regulate it through legalization as prohibition was not a solution.

The minister also admitted that it is a fact that betting on games like bull fights (though officially banned, cock fights, dice games etc is furtively played in remote areas of the villages in the state.

Sangma further pointed out that states like Goa and Sikkim have also promoted tourism through the legalization of Gaming in physical premises but in order to insulate the local population from the harmful effects of such gaming, they have incorporated provisions in their respective gaming Acts denying entry to the residents of their states into the physical gaming premises.

He added that the legalization of gaming by such states has helped the states to promote both domestic and international tourism in a big way and these states are reaping the benefits that the tourism boom along with legalized gaming brought in terms of investments, job creation, and over-all economic development of the respective state.

Meanwhile, the minister said that the government is well aware of the fact that in absence of any legal regulatory framework, it is impossible to bring the dubious operators to book and the innocent fun-seeking players (including minors) fall prey to their illegitimate gaming operations without any legal recourse.

“In modern times like these, where technological innovations and interventions have caused massive shifts and disruptions across all sectors, we cannot afford to be caught living in denial. An enabling regulatory framework is a must to deter the unscrupulous operators to operate their clandestine gaming activities and businesses,” he added.

Also categorically denying that the government is not implementing development programmes in Ri Bhoi, being one of the aspirational districts, Sangma said it is due to the focused outcome-based approach of the MDA government that Ri Bhoi ranks number three now among the top five aspirational districts in the country in terms of overall performance on Niti Aayog’s Delta ranking for the month of July 2022.

“And on behalf of the Chief Minister and the government, let me tell the House that we aspire to take Ri Bhoi to number one position in the time to come,” he assured.

By Our Reporter