As political pressure mounts over gaming in the Indian state of Goa, the government has started to implement regulations that would ban local residents from entering casinos.

Goa

The rules were drafted by the Home Department and require approval by the Goa government. Players would be required to show proof of identity and residency with a passport or government-issued ID in order gain casino access.

There would also be provisions to arrest anyone 21 years or younger found gambling in casinos. The checks will be enforced by a gaming commissioner, whose qualification and appointment procedure has been outlined in the draft regulations.

The commissioner will be required to appoint agents to issue permits, following sufficient identity checks. The rules also state that authorities, including the police, would conduct regular searches of casinos to check identities and licences.

Casinos would be fined for not adhering to the rules and local residents caught gambling could face prosecution under the criminal provisions of the Goa Public Gaming Bill.