Meghalaya Gaming Regulation: MDA Proposes, TMC Opposes

SHILLONG: There is no chance of repealing the Meghalaya Gaming Regulation Act 2021. This was what precisely Chief Minister Conrad Sangma reiterated in Shillong amid an escalating protest by TMC across the state.

Sangma said that gaming parlours are running in the state without any license. The Act was passed in the assembly with the consent of all the legislators from the ruling coalition front, he observed.

He said that same rules would be applicable for the jackpot parlours and other games. Sangma said that the old ones need to be regulated and that the regulations would be there to prevent the local from playing it.

"This is what the people of Meghalaya want," said the Chief Minister as he was talking to the media people.

The Chief Minister advocated his government's position not to proceed with the casinos in the capital city in the face of the protest in many parts of the state.

On the other hand, Opposition TMC has been mounting pressure on the government to repeal the Meghalaya Gaming Regulation Act 2021. Party leaders in many places have been openly promising an intensified protest against the Act in question. Party chief whip George Lyngdoh said that they would not allow any casino in the state.

State TMC has been vehemently condemning the MDA government's move to legalise the casinos and promote unregulated online gaming and that could destroy the future of the youths.

According to TMC, church leaders, civil society members and the tribal bodies have also opposed the move to set up casinos and the online gaming or betting are equally harmful for the youths.

The Government received eight applications for licenses to set up casinos. Only three parties have received provisional licenses for 6 months.

Also Read: Meghalaya Dy CM: Govt Not In Favour Of Repealing Meghalaya Regulation Of Gaming Act

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