• Protest against the legalization of Casinos and the Meghalaya Gaming Act in the state

    Regional
    Protest against the legalization of Casinos and the Meghalaya Gaming Act in the state

    During the protest, the local MLA of Umroi who is also the TMC leader George B Lyngdoh accord supports the protest of the pressure group. color:black;mso-themecolor:text1">

    color:black;mso-themecolor:text1">Digital Desk: The representatives of the
    four-pressure group led by HANM, MPSO, MPUF, and RBYO thronged the entry of one
    building which was alleged to be allotted as a Casino at Khanapara in Ri Bhoi
    District to stage their opposition against the legalization of casinos and the
    Meghalaya Gaming Act in the state by the state government of Meghalaya.



    color:black;mso-themecolor:text1">During the protest at the front gate of the
    alleged building at Khanapara, the representatives of the Ngo’s expressed their
    intention to meet the owner of the building but since there was no response the
    members of the pressure group in anger kicked the gate of the building.



    color:black;mso-themecolor:text1">During the protest, the local MLA of Umroi who is
    also the TMC leader George B Lyngdoh accord supports the protest of the
    pressure group.



    color:black;mso-themecolor:text1">Speaking to the Media, Pateng Myrsing
    President of the HANM expressed unhappiness over the diktat attitude of the
    state government for lying to the people of the state by the statement of
    Conrad K Sangma the Chief Minister who once stated that the introduction of
    Casino has been scrapped by later it was found that temporary license has been
    issued to three contenders who has expressed willingness to operate the Casino.



    color:black;mso-themecolor:text1">He also said that the pressure groups who
    have opposed the intention of the state government will stand firm to fight
    against the Casinos and gambling acts since it will adversely affect the future
    of the young people of the state and will hurt the sentiment of Meghalaya which
    is also known as ‘the Christian State’.



    color:black;mso-themecolor:text1">Speaking at the protest of the pressure
    group, the TMC leader George B Lyngdoh, said that, the Meghalaya Gaming Act
    consists of three points: legalization of casinos, online gambling, and online
    betting in sports like cricket, football, and others which is to be opposed not
    only the casinos but also speaking up for the removal of the law altogether.



    color:black;mso-themecolor:text1">Speaking
    on the adverse effects of gambling on the youth of the state, the TMC MLA said,
    “The other guidelines of the law, such as the online gaming and the online
    betting, would bring huge loss to the youth of the state. Everyone possesses
    cellphones and has the power in their hands to participate in online betting
    and gambling, which will lead to addiction even though they do not go to
    casinos. They would play at home, at educational institutions.”



    Lyngdoh
    also pointed out that, in the year 2019-20, the government released 1200 crores
    for free, if on one hand you release the revenues and on the other hand you set
    up casinos for earning revenues, the misutilization of funds is very evident.