Order state governments to enforce laws regarding casinos: PIL filed in HC

Legislation was passed 47 years ago to authorise casinos. However, it could not be implemented as it was not notified. Therefore, a fresh public interest litigation has been filed in the High Court seeking an order to the state government to notify and implement the law regarding casinos. Legislation on casinos was also sought earlier in 2015 through a public interest petition. On this, the petition has also given evidence that the court had ordered the state government to take a decision in this regard within six months while giving the verdict.

The petition was filed by Transvision Production Company Private Limited, a film and television serial production company. Provision was made under the State Casinos (Control and Taxation) Act to establish licensed casinos and legalise gambling through casinos. However, this provision has not been notified. The company has claimed in the petition that due to the passive role of the state government in this regard, many people are facing criminal cases or penal action.

According to the petition filed by the company, the 47-year-old Act provided for licensing of casinos, allowing certain games, taxing capital at prescribed rates or money paid through speculation etc. The Bill regarding this Act was passed by the State Assembly and also received the assent of the Governor. However, as the Act was not notified, it was not implemented. The company also alleged that the responsibility of the state government was entirely responsible for the non-implementation of the law.

The petitioner company had applied to the concerned department of the government in September 2020 for the establishment of a casino in a five-star hotel and the necessary licence for the same. A seven-member study group has been formed in this regard and informed that the committee will submit a report to the Ministry of Home Affairs in three months. A meeting was scheduled for August 2022 to decide on the implementation of the law on casinos. However, the concerned department officials were absent from this meeting, so it became futile. Even after that, the company sent reminders to the officials of the concerned departments, also sent a legal notice. The petitioner company has claimed that it approached the High Court as no response was given to it.