Team Herald
MARGAO: A day after the South Goa District Magistrate issued an order banning housie under the Goa Public Gambling Act, the first fallout was felt in Varca, where a Wednesday night musical programme and housie event had to be
cancelled.
Attempts were reportedly made to go ahead with the event, but by evening, the organisers called it off after police intervention.
The cancellation has sparked outrage among residents and organisers across South Goa, many of whom had lined up similar events through April and May. Local clubs and church committees, who often conduct housie as part of community entertainment, said the sudden clampdown was harsh and unfair.
The directive to ban such activities was issued by South Goa District Magistrate Egna Cleetus, IAS, who has issued urgent instructions to all Deputy Collectors and Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) to take immediate action against illegal gambling activities, specifically naming housie, a popular community game in the district. The Collector cited the Goa Public Gambling Act, 1976, which makes such activities cognisable and punishable offences, prohibiting gambling in public or private spaces without lawful authority.
A weekly report of all actions taken under this order must be submitted to the District Magistrate, and a copy of the directive has also been sent to the Superintendent of Police (SP), South Goa, for immediate coordination and enforcement.
The news of the ban was met with shock and anger by a section of the public that has for years been either participating in or organising housie. Locals argued that this has been a traditional event and has not only been happening for years but also happens in every village that has a minority population.
“It has come to the notice of the undersigned that certain illegal gambling activities, including but not limited to housie and other unauthorised gambling activities, are being organised in various parts of South Goa,” the memorandum states. The Collector’s directive instructs all SDMs and Deputy Collectors to monitor their jurisdictions closely, coordinate with police for inspections and raids, and initiate legal proceedings against individuals or groups found organising or participating in such events.
The order has triggered widespread criticism from residents, who questioned why other forms of gambling—like matka or casinos—remain untouched.
“This is a traditional event, part of our village gatherings for years,” said a local organiser. “How can you suddenly equate it with illegal gambling? People look forward to this as a social get-together.”
The move is expected to draw sharper reactions from residents, especially in villages, where housie has long served as a source of entertainment and social bonding.
Residents argue that housie is not a profit-making venture but a community-driven game often tied to church feasts or club activities. Many pointed to similar lottery-style games held during festivals in villages with majority populations.
They added these events have already happened in some villages in the previous month and are expected to continue until May, as has been the schedule for the last many years, though the current cancellations suggest otherwise.
Meanwhile, locals felt the circular issued by the Collector on Tuesday had some loopholes and was too harsh on them, portraying their traditional activity as something else entirely. They hoped that in the future the government would suspend this particular circular.
© heraldgoa-main 2025
Housie ban takes effect: Villagers fume as Varca event gets cancelled – heraldgoa.in
