Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Acts and Rules, 2021 bar entry of local residents into physical gaming premises: James K Sangma

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 12, 2022

Minister in-charge Taxation James K Sangma has reiterated that the 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.

Replying replying to a call attention notice by the Umroi legislator George B Lyngdoh on Monday, Sangma said 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.

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 said 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.”

He said 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.