Ban ministers, MLAs from entering Goa casinos first: Ex Dy CM

Panaji, Feb 4 (IANS) Before debating the issue of banning Goans from entering offshore and onshore casinos to be implemented in the right spirit, elected representatives should be barred from gambling in casino operations, former Deputy Chief Minister Sudin Dhavalikar said on Tuesday.

"If there are ministers, MLAs, panchas, sarpanchas, zilla panchayat members playing in casinos, they should be banned first and then the issue should be discussed," Dhavalikar told reporters on the sidelines of the ongoing proceedings of the budget session of the state legislative assembly.

The BJP-led administration Goa had banned domiciled Goans from entering the six offshore and nine onshore casinos operating in Goa from February 1.

But after the ban was imposed, Ports Minister Michael Lobo has urged a rethink on the ban and demanded a debate at the "highest levels", claiming casinos offer a much broader experience other than gambling, which includes entertainment and cuisine offering.