RTI activist sees no problem with revenue generation from casinos in state

SHILLONG, Oct 25: Days after the state government scrapped the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021, RTI activist Disparsing Rani on Tuesday questioned the rationale behind the stiff opposition to the move, while maintaining that the government was mooting the set-up of casinos with an objective to increase the revenue generation of the state.
Speaking to reporters Rani said, “I know majority of the people are supporting the demand to scrap the proposal for setting up of the casino. Personally, I am in agreement since casinos are the place of betting of rich and high-profile people.”
Maintaining that Sikkim generates huge revenue from casinos, he said, “I would urge upon the state government who will form after the 2023 polls to legislate laws for setting up of casinos in the state.”
Asking why there is opposition to the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021, when the government is trying to generate revenue from the casinos, the RTI activist said, “The people who go to casinos need to have crores of rupees in their bank account.”
He also pointed out that the government had proposed to set up the casinos at Raid Marwet, which is close to Assam. “The state is going to benefit since rich people from Assam will come to spend in the casino to relax themselves,” Rani said. “We need to realise that Meghalaya is the centre of tourism of the North East. We are going to benefit if tourists from outside the state visit the casino as this will help in generating revenue for the state,” the RTI activist added.