With fears expressed by church groups and others that the people of Meghalaya will be gravely affected if casinos are opened in the state, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today sought to allay those concerns.
He promised that no casino will be open in the state capital or Tura and that the one that the government has given sanction for in Ri-Bhoi will not be situated beyond Byrnihat. The intention is that it will draw in gamblers from Guwahati and other parts of Assam and will be closed to Meghalaya residents, he added.
The CM told the media today that gaming parlours have been functioning in the state for the past 25 years or more across the state and that they operate in a grey area as Meghalaya did not have legislation regulating them. The state government’s objective in bringing in gaming laws is to ensure that the parlours are regulated and earn money for the state through taxes.
Proceeds from gambling will be used by the state government to pay teachers, fund social projects, etc.
“We are clear that it (the casino) will not be beyond the Khanapara or Byrnihat area because those places border Guwahati and that market is much bigger,” Sangma said.
These casinos will be prohibited from allowing Meghalayans to gamble there and a “proper monitoring system” will be put in place to see that this is adhered to. Those establishments that break this rule will forfeit their gambling licences.