Puducherry on path to Legalise Casinos but LG expresses Opposition

The Union Territory of Puducherry may be on t꧑he path to legalise and permit casinos in the region after three years of dithering and deliberations.

As per media reports, although the elected government headed by Chief Minister V Narayanasamy has almost made up its mind to allow casinos in the state for the purpose of promoting tourism, Lieutenant Governor (LG) saying tha📖t the government should keep the ‘wolf of gambling’ away ꧙from a spiritual and pristine Puducherry.

Bedi also stated that allowing casinos will impact the quality of domestic a🦋nd international tourists besides causing 𓄧social problems.

Narayanasamy however cဣlaimed that on whether casinos should be allowed in the territory and added that various locations like Goa, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore have casinos to attract tourists.

He added that the LG is working with a revengeful attitud♎e and that Puducherry is in severe need of funds and perꦚmission to allow lotteries, casinos and breweries would bolster the state exchequer.

The Chief Minister however noted that the legislative assembly will take a final decision on whether casinos and breweries will be allowed in the state or no𝓀t.

Notably, the Puducherry government has been toying with the idea of allowing casiꦦnos within its territory since 2016. Narayansamy had indicated in Ju✃ly 2016 after assuming charge as CM that he was open to allowing offshore casinos in the UT for promoting tourism, on the lines of Goa.

State Health & Tourism Minister Malladi Krishna Rao had also stated that 🦩the cabinet had discussed the issue an💃d was looking at permitting casinos in Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. A delegation of government officials from Puducherry had also proposed an official study tour to Goa to evaluate the model of allowing casinos.

Besides casinos, the Puducherry government is also likely to look at restarting sale of state lotteries with🌺in and outside the UT to augment revenues.