Goa's gambling crackdown targets housie
The District Magistrate of India’s South Goa, in a move to tackle the rise of illegal gambling activities, particularly the lottery-style game ‘housie’, also known as Tombola, has directed all deputy collectors and sub-divisional magistrates to monitor and act against such events in their jurisdictions closely.
The memorandum was issued on 4 April 2025 by District Magistrate Egna Cleetus, emphasises that housie and other unauthorised gambling events are punishable under the Goa Public Gambling Act, 1976.
Illegal gambling disguised as events
According to officials, several applications have been received in recent weeks for sound permissions under the pretext of conducting music festivals in South Goa. However, many of these events are allegedly being used as a front for high-stakes housie games.
“What is actually happening is that the event takes place for one hour and is then followed by a ‘grand housie’ event, and the stakes involved are over ₹30 lakh ($35,077.68) and more,” an official said to a local newspaper Indian Express.
The official added that such gatherings, when conducted for commercial gain with large monetary involvement, fall within the legal definition of gambling.
Commercial vs family setting
The district administration clarified that it does not target private family games of housie, which are not considered gambling under the Act. The directive is aimed at commercialised housie events that involve high-value prizes or entry fees.
“Housie is a game of chance. We are not targeting people who are playing housie in a non-commercial family setting. That is not deemed as gambling under the purview of the Act. But when it is done in a commercial context, where huge stakes and monetary gain is involved, it will fall under the definition of the gambling,” the official said.
Law enforcement to act promptly
The memorandum instructs all sub-divisional magistrates and deputy collectors to coordinate closely with local police for immediate action against any such unauthorised events. This includes inspections, raids, and seizure of materials if gambling operations are suspected or confirmed.
The Goa Public Gambling Act, 1976, prohibits the maintenance of common gaming houses and gambling in public or private spaces without lawful authority or licence. Offences under this Act are considered cognizable and punishable.
In addition to this, the district magistrate has also asked all officers to submit weekly reports outlining the actions taken against illegal gambling. These reports are to be submitted directly to the district magistrate’s office.
