Incessant demands by opposition as well as civil society organisations to curb gambling habits among the people of Goa, Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar on Friday announced that come January 2019, only visiting tourists will be allowed to enter Goa casinos.

The aim behind this move is to restrict the entry of locals after the state was criticised for spoiling the social environment of the tourist destination by encouraging gambling. Parrikar told the Goa legislative assembly, “As a policy Goans will not be permitted to enter the casino’s playing areas and only visiting tourists shall be permitted. A mechanism in this regard will be put in place once the gaming commissioner is appointed and appropriate rules for regulation shall be formulated.”, the HT reported.