In Goa’s crackdown on gambling, even ‘housie’ is not spared

“As per provisions of the Goa Public Gambling Act, 1976, such activities are cognizable and punishable offences. The Act prohibits the operation and maintenance of common gaming houses, as well as gambling in public or private places without lawful authority or license,” it said.

Requesting anonymity, an official said that in the last few weeks, people from several talukas in South Goa have been applying for sound permissions on the pretext of conducting music festivals.

“What is actually happening is that the event takes place for one hour and is then followed by a ‘grand housie’ event, and the stakes involved are over Rs 30 lakh and more,” the official said.

“Housie is a game of chance. We are not targeting people who are playing housie in a non-commercial family setting. That is not deemed as gambling under the purview of the Act. But when it is done in a commercial context, where huge stakes and monetary gain is involved, it will fall under the definition of the gambling,” the official said.

The memorandum said that all deputy collectors and sub-divisional magistrates of South Goa district are directed to “monitor their respective jurisdictions closely for any information, reports or complaints pertaining to housie” and advertisement promotions or any other illegal gambling activities and to coordinate with local police authorities to “conduct prompt and effective action, including inspections, raids and seizures as necessary, wherever such unlawful gambling operations are suspected or reported”.

The memo directed the officers to take appropriate legal action under the provisions of the Public Gambling Act, 1976, against individuals or groups found involved in organising or participating in illegal gambling activities. It further said that a weekly report on actions taken under the directive must be submitted to the district magistrate.