The Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has joined the bandwagon of protesters against legalising gambling in the state and has demanded repeal of the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021.
Offering its support to the Khasi Jaiñtia Christian Leaders Forum and the Shillong All Faith Forum, who had earlier come out in opposition to the act, the HYC said the government should not turn Meghalaya into a “gambling state”.
HYC general secretary, Roy Kupar Synrem in a statement today said gambling and casinos would have moral ramifications and the government has not given a thought that this would bring in other ills in the state.
Synrem said the government should focus on cutting down unnecessary expenditures on festivals, payment to MLA/MDC, Ex MLA/MDC/MP appointed as chairman, co-chairman, vice chairman in boards and corporations, if it says that gambling would generate revenue for the state.
He further said the government should come up with a zero tolerance policy on corruption, plug revenue leakage and benami.
Reacting to the chief minister’s statement after church leaders met him yesterday that the act has not been implemented and that a consultation will be held with stakeholders, the HYC questioned, “We don’t belief in this statement because the government should first consult legalising gaming in the Assembly. Even location for casinos has already been identified.”
It may be mentioned that on December 15, 2021, the Meghalaya cabinet passed the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Rules, 2021 to enable the State Excise Department to tap the revenue potential of online and physical gaming and regulate gaming in the State.
The State government has decreed that the rules will allow only tourists to play big in the casinos that will be opened in the Meghalaya-Assam border.
Further, giving a push to legalised gambling, the State government has appointed retired judge of Allahabad High Court, Justice Naveen Srivastava as chairman of the Meghalaya Gaming Commission.
The commission has the power to issue policy directions for regulations of games of skill and games of chance. It will monitor and submit periodic reports to the State government on the activities of all licensees and will also act as a dispute redressal body for disputes between licensees and players.
