There is incidence of Matka Gambling in certain areas, however, no Police personnel has been found involved: Goa CM
Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Goa Police have booked 2352 cases of Matka gambling during the last three years and current year up to June 30, 2023.
As per information, 685 cases were booked in 2020, 663 in 2021, 613 in 2022 and 391 till June 2023.
“Whenever Matka gambling activities are noticed or upon receipt of reliable information, cases are registered by the Police authorities under appropriate provision of Law,” said Sawant.
He further said that there is incidence of Matka Gambling in certain areas. However, no Police personnel has been found involved in allowing illegalities of matka gambling.
Sawant on said the state government’s Home Department will crack down on gambling activities taking place in the coastal state.
Calangute MLA, Michael Lobo, had proposed that the government should include “Matka Gambling” in the state lottery. This will further help the state exchequer collect more revenue through GST.
“Matka is profitable. It is operated in all constituencies. If it is brought under lotteries, then the state government will gain profit through GST. In a big way, the treasury will get money. Also, people will get money officially,” Lobo said in his statement.
The MLA, while putting forward his request, tipped a controversial and thought-provoking issue of legalising some forms of gambling. Lobo suggested that several illegal Matka operations are already taking place, why not bring them under the law and regulate.
Currently, the only forms of gambling allowed in India are casinos, lottery and horse racing. The problem here is not gambling but rather morality, as the majority of people in India are against gambling.
Despite there being three legal gambling options, most states choose not to permit them for ethical reasons.
The government have recently increased the tax rate for online real money gaming, casinos and horse racing to 28% on full face value.
It is believed that with this increase, the government tax revenue from these industries will see a significant increase. This sparks the question if the government actually need more revenue through legalising more gambling.
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