Report No. 276

D. Act Pending Notification

The Maharashtra Casinos (Control and Tax) Act, 1976 5.74 The Act, 1976, a revenue driven piece of legislation, has however, till date not been notified. The Statement of Objects and Reasons of its Bill was as follows:

1. Taking into account the increasing tourist traffic in the State of Maharashtra, particularly foreign tourist traffic, as also the need to raise additional revenues for the State, it is considered expedient to provide for the licensing of casinos in the State of Maharashtra, for the taxation of moneys stakes on games of betting or wagering played therein, and also to regulate the functioning of such licensed casinos under a system of adequate controls.

2. This Bill to provide for the licensing of casinos and for the taxation of moneys staked in casinos games seeks to achieve the above objectives.

5.75 This Act provides for the licensing of casinos, permitting certain types of casino games to be played therein, taxation on money paid/agreed to be paid by participants in these casinos (not exceeding 25%), the punishment for contravention of the provisions of the Act, and certain other connected provisions.