BY ISIDORE DOMNICK MENDIS

THE RECENT fervent plea made by BJP’s Siolim MLA Dayanand Mandrekar in the state Assembly to legalise matka has brought the issue of unlawful gambling to the forefront of the public domain. Lawmakers will now be forced to provide legal sanctity to the various forms of illegitimate gambling that exists all around Goa.

One can find matka operations thriving in various locales like bus stops, markets, places of worship, around educational institutes and numerous public places. Likewise, this illegal gambling business employs numerous people. It would not be wrong to describe it as an important entity of the parallel economy.

The BJP legislator feels that by providing a legal framework to matka, it would be a win-win situation for Goa and its aam aadmi. He feels that it would not only bring revenue to the state, but also increase the earnings of the downtrodden who are associated with this gambling game. Presently, Goa earns nothing whatsoever from this thriving illegal matka business.

Mandrekar also equated matka with casinos - but there is a vast difference. For instance, an onshore casino can only be operated in a five star hotel. It needs huge investment as well as high operating costs to run a casino. Casinos have clear cut rules and regulations for the entry of guests. Admission is strictly prohibited to people carrying any type of weapons. Similarly, heavily drunk and intoxicated individuals are disallowed. Paramount importance is also given to dress code. And the most important, as per the law, casinos also debar entry to guests who are below 18 years of age.

Only people who have surplus income can think of visiting a casino. Because a guest needs to pay Rs. 200 (soon to be hiked to Rs. 2000) as entry fee, which directly goes to the state government. Apart from the entry fee, the guest needs at least another Rs. 1000 to play. Hence, the person coming to a casino should certainly have extra income.

The casino industry is an important consumer of local services like hotels, food and beverage supply, entertainment outlets, transport, cleaning services, etc. Casinos also generate employment in various categories like gaming, food and beverage, finance, housekeeping, vigilance, security, etc with international recognition.

It should be our endeavour to sustain and promote the existing facilities and do something to attract more travellers.

Of course, we also need to critically examine the tag of illegality to matka. How successful has this proved in curbing the game? Yes, it might sound bitter, but the real fact is matka or any other form of illegal gambling staying under covers benefits none. If an adult decides to play matka or visit a casino or visit a pub or even visit a brothel, we should accept his/her choice. However, to ensure norms of social decency and public order, it is highly essential that all adult choices need to be regulated by law.

As we are celebrating our 62nd year of independence, perhaps it’s time India gets rid of unnecessary fetters, which have subjugated individual freedoms.

The author is a freelance journalist from Merces.