No licence for casino operation in Goa if applicant convicted

NEW DELHI, Nov 15
Casino operators and applicants seeking licences to run a casino in Goa will not be granted one if they or employees in key managerial positions are convicted of a criminal offence that is punishable with imprisonment of at least two years.
The Goa government has amended ‘The Goa Public Gambling Act, 1976’ and a gazette notification was issued by the government Monday. According to the amendment, if a casino operator is convicted after getting the licence, the licence shall stand immediately cancelled and the fees paid will be forfeited by the government.
Goa has six offshore casinos operating on vessels stationed on the Mandovi river and 10 onshore casinos. Besides being a source of employment, the industry is also a big revenue earner, with the turnover of each offshore casino estimated at least Rs 100 crore annually. “Provided further that a licence shall not be granted to any person if he or his associates or in case of firm or body corporate any persons holding any key managerial position in such firm or body corporate is convicted of any criminal offence punishable with imprisonment for a period of not less than 2 years and if such person is convicted after the licence is granted, such licence shall be cancelled immediately and all fees paid shall stand forfeited to the Government,” the gazette notification said. Casino operators seeking a licence will have to submit a police clearance certificate for criminal background checks. The applicants will have to submit information to the government pertaining to details of pending criminal cases against the applicant, shareholders, partners, persons holding significant or controlling interest and senior management officials.
According to the amendments, for applicants seeking to obtain a casino licence, the government has also sought information of name of shareholders or partners, details of individuals holding significant or controlling interest (more than 10 percent) and details of other casinos licences operational in any state and present status of such licences.
“If the previous casino licences in any other state were cancelled, the applicant shall have to disclose the reason for cancellation in the application. The amendments are aimed at bringing in transparency, ensure compliance,” an official said.
Another clause in the amendment empowers the gaming commissioner or the inspection officer to inspect the casino premises on a periodic basis, considering the nature and size of business, the extent of risk of money-laundering or terrorist financing, as determined by the concerned officer.
The notification added that the casino operators must give a declaration to the effect that after the grant of licence, they shall comply with anti-money laundering and countering of financing of terrorism regulations.