Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has ruled out repealing the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021.
“If we repeal the Act then there will be nothing to regulate and we will only be losing close to Rs 8 crore to Rs 10 crore of revenue,” Sangma said
Several political parties, church organisations and pressure groups have opposed the government’s move to legalise gambling in the State and demanded for repealing the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021.
Noting that the Act is required for regulating the existing gambling parlours, which have been there for the past 25 years in the state, Sangma said jackpot and online gaming parlours existed in the State for a long time without paying tax to the State exchequer.
“Let me be frank, we do need revenue. (Since) we are a revenue deficit state, we depend largely on the incomes and taxes that come from the central government. We will have a huge problem in the coming days and years from the point of mining our revenues have come down and so many other activities are coming up and funds are required to run all of this,” the Chief Minister said.
On the government’s move to set up casinos, Sangma said the government has no intention to
come up with casinos anywhere in or around major towns and cities of the state.
“We are very clear on that. If there is a way which we can get revenue and at the same time ensure we don’t allow it to be part of Shillong and other major towns so that our youth are not impacted and ensure our youth don’t play and none of the citizens of Meghalaya are allowed to play,” Sangma said.
