Political party opposes casinos in Meghalaya

SHILLONG, April 23 (NNN): The Voice of the People’s Party (VPP) on Friday opposed the recent move of the state government to open up casinos in Meghalaya.
In a statement, the president of VPP, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said that the state of Meghalaya and its people and the community as a whole have always considered any form of gambling as a social evil and this move of the state government to open a casino in the state indicates that the present government does not care about the state and its people.
“The aim of the state government to open casinos in the state and make the state famous for its casinos cannot be accepted as we all know the state of Meghalaya and its people have never accepted any form of gambling in the state,” said Basaiawmoit.
Basaiawmoit said that no goods have ever come from gambling and this is why people of the state have always considered this a social evil as gambling has always resulted in poverty and set back many families.
He added that this move should be opposed by all as this move of the state government contradicts the Meghalaya Prevention of Gambling 1970 by replacing it with the new Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Ordinance 2021.
“As a community, we cannot accept this move of the state government to make gambling or casino legal in the state as we have witnessed that any form of gambling has not only affected families but the community and the state as a whole as gambling has always resulted in poverty,” he added.
In this regard, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit urged the state government to come out with laws that will encourage development through tourism, farming, entrepreneurship and employment for the youth which will, in turn, help the state in generating revenues.