scorecardresearch
Friday, March 29, 2024
Support Our Journalism
HomePoliticsWhy minister C.T. Ravi wanted casinos in Karnataka but took a U-turn...

Why minister C.T. Ravi wanted casinos in Karnataka but took a U-turn on the proposal

Asked whether the Karnataka govt was looking at casinos to generate revenue, minister C.T. Ravi told ThePrint there was no such proposal. 

Follow Us :
Text Size:

Bengaluru: Karnataka Tourism Minister C.T. Ravi found himself in hot water over the weekend after he made a suggestion that the cash-strapped state look at casinos as a potential source of revenue.

He was speaking at an interaction with the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), an industry body, but Ravi realised at once that the idea may not be greeted very well in Karnataka, where gambling can land one in jail for anywhere between three months and a year. 

Fearing the statement might harm the image of his party, the BJP, in the state, Ravi withdrew the statement immediately, but it was too late. It had already started a debate in the state. 

Asked whether the state government was looking at casinos to generate revenue, Ravi told ThePrint there was no such proposal, suggesting that it was something his party would never agree with.

When this reporter pointed out that casinos are believed to have helped Goa, which is also ruled by the BJP, earn close to Rs 410 crore in 2019, Ravi said, “The culture of Karnataka and Goa is different.”

He then sought to defend his suggestion. “I was only suggesting various options for revenue generation. I had suggested a Buddha Trail, a Ramayana circuit, village and heritage tourism to showcase Karnataka’s culture. I only mentioned casinos to make it known that  places like Goa, Macau, Las Vegas and Sri Lanka have greatly benefited through direct and indirect revenue from casinos,” Ravi said. 

“It’s not just about running casinos, but the other industries that will develop along with them. From hotels, to taxis to airline companies, think of the number of people who will find employment with this,” he added. “Has it not worked in places like Los Angeles, Goa, Sri Lanka?” 

Even so, the minister immediately clarified, “as a BJP representative and a representative of Karnataka’s ethos”, that casinos “may not be suitable”.  

Senior BJP leader and state Agriculture Minister B.C. Patil supported his colleague, telling the media Sunday evening that it was a “good move”. 

A senior BJP functionary, however, said the party would never take such a proposal forward. 

“We are a party that has been campaigning to ban liquor consumption, ban any sort of betting or gambling,” the functionary added. “We are trying to get people away from vices, it would be wrong to have considered it.”


Also Read: Minister warns of post-Godhra situation in Karnataka if ‘patience of majority is tested’


‘A grey area’

Asked whether casinos promoted gambling, former Karnataka Director General of Police (DGP) S.T. Ramesh said it was “a grey area”. 

The former officer said Ravi’s suggestion might have been driven by a 2019 Supreme Court ruling that recognised horse racing, football, chess, rummy, golf and baseball as games of skill rather than of chance. 

“Gambling is a generic term. There needs to be clarity whether the activity going on in casinos is a game of skill or a game of chance. If it is declared a game of skill, it would pass the legal litmus test,” Ramesh added.

Asked about Ravi’s suggestion, Ramesh said “politicians are possibly taking courage in the fact that casinos function in Goa without any legal hurdle”. “So, they believe it could be legitimised elsewhere too.”

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Congress has latched on to the issue, with senior leader D.K. Shivakumar asking Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa to introduce such a proposal in the state budget and explain its benefits in detail.

“We all want the welfare of the state. Let the Chief Minister explain how casinos will benefit the state,” said Shivakumar, addressing the media at state headquarters in Bengaluru Sunday evening.

Senior Congress leaders H.K. Patil and V.S. Ugrappa described casinos as being “against Karnataka’s culture, saying they would not allow it”. 


Also Read: Karnataka wants to rename 5 airports after local historical heroes, asks for suggestions


 

Subscribe to our channels on YouTube, Telegram & WhatsApp

Support Our Journalism

India needs fair, non-hyphenated and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. ThePrint – with exceptional reporters, columnists and editors – is doing just that.

Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you.

Whether you live in India or overseas, you can take a paid subscription by clicking here.

Support Our Journalism

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular