Daijiworld Media Network- Margao

Margao, Apr 9: In a strong crackdown on unlawful gambling activities, the District Magistrate of South Goa has issued strict directives to monitor and act against unauthorised games such as ‘housie’ when conducted for commercial gain.

A memorandum dated April 5, signed by District Magistrate Egna Cleetus, has instructed all deputy collectors and sub-divisional magistrates in the district to maintain a close watch on events suspected to involve illegal gambling, including lottery-style games like housie, and to coordinate with police for immediate raids and enforcement.

The move comes in response to rising concerns over the misuse of event permissions. According to a senior official who requested anonymity, several event organisers have been seeking sound permissions under the guise of hosting music festivals, only to host large-scale housie games involving stakes reportedly crossing Rs 30 lac.

“While casual, family-level housie games do not fall under the purview of illegal gambling, commercial housie events involving large financial stakes certainly do. These fall within the ambit of the Goa Public Gambling Act, 1976, and are punishable by law,” the official clarified.

The memorandum notes that such activities are cognizable and punishable offences, with the Act prohibiting gambling in both public and private spaces without appropriate licensing. It explicitly directs district officers to monitor advertisements, event promotions, and any related complaints, and take swift action — including inspections, raids, and seizures — wherever illicit gambling is suspected.

Further, all administrative officers have been asked to submit weekly reports to the district magistrate detailing the actions taken under this directive.

With Goa’s image as a tourism hub, officials believe such decisive measures are necessary to prevent the misuse of entertainment platforms for illegal monetary activities.