The legalisation of teer, gambling on traditional archery, is more than enough for Meghalaya and no other gambling activities should be allowed in the state, the Hynñiewtrep Youths Council (HYC) said today.
The pressure group met with Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong to raise its concerns about the government’s legalisation of gambling.
Much opposition to the legalisation of gambling, which could pave the way for the introduction of casinos to the state, has emerged, especially from religious groups.
The government has been reiterating that casinos will only be allowed on the border with Assam in Ri-Bhoi in order to lure gamblers from that state. Meghalayans will also not be allowed to patronise them. Other gambling (or gaming, as the legislation prefers to call them) activities have been practised in a sort of grey area, the government said, for several years but they will now be regularised and brought under the ambit of the law. From this, and the casinos, the state exchequer will earn valuable revenues, goes the government’s logic.
Speaking with the press following their meeting, HYC general secretary Roy Kupar Synrem said that they have demanded the govt to repeal the Regulation of Gaming Act 2021.
While the government has not implemented the act, the Taxation Department has appointed a retired judge to chair the new Meghalaya Gaming Commission.
Asked if the HYC would be satisfied if the government comes up with strict rules and regulations not allowing locals to participate, Synrem said that they have made it clear to the government that prior consultation has to be held with religious leaders and other stakeholders.
The pressure group also raised concerns about the “vague” wording of the Act. Although the Chief Minister has said that casinos will not come up in places like Shillong or Tura, Synrem said that the legislation is not clear on this.
Instead of banking on gambling to increase revenue, the government should, instead, stop spending on huge festivals, scrap allowances for current and former legislators who are appointed to state-owned corporations, etc and have a zero tolerance policy against corruption, he added.
