BJP wants to deter locals from gambling

Panaji, March 27 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Goa is mulling a Singapore-like stringent law to dissuade locals from entering offshore casinos in Goa, a party spokesperson said Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters, BJP general secretary Wilfred Mesquita said the party would urge Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to reconsider lowering of entry fees to the six offshore casinos operating in Goa.

This has been proposed in the budget.

"The government is coming out with a legislation probably on the lines of Singapore, where there is age limit to enter casinos," Mesquita said.

Singapore, which opened its doors to the casino gaming in 2010, has stringent entry norms to casinos.

While persons below the age of 21 are strictly off limits, locals wanting to gamble in the casinos are expected to pay a heavy surcharge.

Asked about the controversial proposal in the budget which reduced entry fee to offshore casinos from Rs.2,000 to Rs.500, Mesquita said the party would urge Parrikar to reconsider the same.

The BJP has been vehemently opposing offshore casions, claiming they were a bad influence on the local population.