Since the enactment of the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021, many controversies have taken place, and the Meghalaya government has received backlash from other political parties and various activist groups.

The Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021, was enacted by the government of Meghalaya on 26 March 2021 and was made to close down all illegal and unauthorized casinos and gambling points and open government-regulated ones. It was also meant as a means to attract more tourists to the state, which in turn will boost revenue.

In a more recent activity regarding the act, the Joint Action Committee Against Casino (JACAC) has planned to launch a campaign against the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act 2021. The JACAC consists Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) and Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong Ri Bhoi.

The campaign should take place in various places to gather more support from the locals. The main locations according to reports, are Bhoirymbong, Umiam, Nongpoh, 20 Mile, Byrnihat, Khanapara, Patharkhmah, Umden, Mawhati. The main reason behind this campaign from JACAC is to repeal the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act 2021.

It is worth noting that the Chief Minister of Meghalaya “Conrad K Sangma” has already said that “the question of repealing the act does not arise at all,” on 26 September 2022. He also said that “the casinos need to be regulated whether we start new ones or not.” He also said that all 60 legislators passed the act.

On his ending note, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad said that the act is exactly achieving what the people or the different organizations have been asking for, that is, the youth of the state should not be allowed to play, and the act is there to regulate all “game of skill” and “game of chance.”