8th May,2012
PRESS RELEASE A delegation of AAAAG met the Chief Minister Mr Manohar Parikar today afternoon at Altinho residence and handed over the following memorandum with demands. The Chief Minister assured that he will look into the demands and is already siezed with the matter. He stated that he is taking measures, the results of which will be evident after July session, by September. The delegation comprised of AAAAG Convenor Sabina Martins, joint Convenor Rui Fereira, Srinivas Kamat, Seema Pednekar and Shubhangui Gaunekar Sabina Martins For AAAAG AAM AURAT ADMI AGAINST GAMBLING *c/o Bailancho Saad , SF-4, Goa Housing Board Complex, Journalist Colony,* *Porvorim, Bardez –Goa .* *tel 2410864* * * * --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * 8th May,2012 To Shri Manohar Parikar, Chief Minister, Assembly Complex, Porvorim Goa. * * *MEMORANDUM* Aaam Aurat Admi Against Gambling (AAAAG) which comprises of organizations and concerned individuals met several times to discuss the negative fallouts of casinos and the steps to eliminate it and resolved to place the following demands before you, Chief Minister Sir, for quick action. In the last 20 years of casinos in Goa, many families have been ruined due to gambling. There has been an increase in crimes against women and children, number of thefts and dacoity has risen, fake currencies and ATM frauds have been reported. There are reports of money laundering and terrorism linked activities in casinos. The Enforcement Directorate has issued notices to casinos. Casino related fights have escalated to law and order problems, like the stoning of Panjim police station. There has been an increase in trafficking and prostitution and also fronts for them like massage parlours all over the city. Public infra structure like jetties meant for public waterway transport is given for exclusive private use of casinos The state is full of casino advertisements, giving Goa an image of “Sin City/State” which has resulted in people of the State being treated in a derogatory manner. It is condemnable that Goa and its people are being exploited. AAAAG is of the opinion that the negative fallouts are far more than the revenue and jobs casinos generate. If the Chief Minister can make provision of Rs. 152 crores lost due to reduction in petrol prices, surely the Chief Minister has the capacity to raise Rs. 50 crores odd revenue got from casinos at great public cost. AAAAG demands that 1. All the amendments made to the Goa Gambling Prevention Act of 1976 to permit casinos offshore and in hotels onshore be repealed. 2. The annual licenses given to the casinos should not be renewed. 3. No new casinos should be permitted. 4. No new vessels or premises for casinos should be permitted under the licenses held by the casino establishments. 5. No casinos should be allowed to operate in residential neighbourhoods and within 100 meters of any places of worship/educational institutions. In the interim period of phasing out the casinos the following checks should be in place. 1. The license fees should be reverted back to Rs 2000. The reduction of the license fees to Rs 500 has increased the number of people going to the casinos, which will lead to more addiction, crimes, economic destitution and social problems. 2. The advertisements of the casinos should stop forth with. The Goa Gambling Prevention Act prohibits advertisement. All addictive substances like alcohol and tobacco have explicit laws prohibiting advertisements. These laws should be made more watertight so as to plug loopholes. The strict enforcement of these laws should take place. The government authorities should not wait for a complaint from citizens to act, when the advertisements are publicly visible. Illegal advertisements of casinos are put up on signage of the police and traffic barricades in the city. There are casino hoardings on the highways, at airports, and advertisement in print and electronic media. 3. Regulations to be in place to check the casinos till they are expelled. For the last 20 years casinos are operating in the state with no regulations. There is no body constituted to check on their illegalities. Cheating happens when the machines are not checked or monitored for manipulations or their settings investigated 4. * *Make it compulsory to photograph each entrant, insist on photo id , record and report each cash transaction when chips are sold , repaid , big winners given cheques or cash. These reports to be sent to the government and income tax department daily. Tax on winnings to be deducted at source and paid to the government. 1. Free public spaces occupied by the casinos. Public spaces like footpaths, jetties, no parking zones are being illegally occupied by the casinos. Rivers which are common resources of the people have casinos parked which are meant to be offshore. The casinos should be cleared from the rivers. 1. Stop unauthorized gambling immediately, whether “matka” or casinos . Matka though illegal continues with patronage. Casinos, electronic gaming, etc. is taking place by taking advantage of the loopholes in law in cities in small hotels which claim to be “Five Star Like” . AAAAG would like to bring to the notice of the Chief Minister that there has been no cost benefit study done of casinos, before making changes to the Goa Gambling Act 1976. Neither has any subsequent government done an impact study, but continues to perpetuate the ills of casinos. We hope that you will do the needful, as you, when Leader of Opposition was also on the street protesting against casinos We therefore, demand from you, Chief Minister Sir, to bring in legislation to stop casinos in the State at the earliest in the Assembly, where you have an absolute majority. * * Dr Sabina Martins Rui Fereira *Convenor AAAAG Joint Convenor AAAAG*
