Preamble

The Odisha Gazette

EXTRAORDINARY PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

ODISHA ACT 17 OF 1955

THE ODISHA PREVENTION OF GAMBLINGACT, 1955

Short title, extent and commencement

ANACT TO PROVIDE FOR. PUNISHMENT OF GAMBLINGANDTHE KEEPING OF COMMON GAMING-HOUSE INTHE STATE OF ODISHA ANDTO SECURE THE ULTIMATE PREVENTION OF GAMBLING

Whereas it is expedient to make provision for the punishment of gambling and the keeping of common gaming houses in the State of Odisha. and to secure the ultimate prevention of gambling ;

It is hereby enacted by the Legislature of the State of Odisha in the sixth year of the Republic of India. as follows:

1Statement of Objects and reasons :At present three GamblingActs are in form in different parts of Odisha. They are:

1. (1) Public Gambling Act, 1867(Act III OF 1867);
2. (2) Bengal Gambling Act, 1867 (Act II of 1867); and
3. (3) Madras GamblingAct, 1930 (Act III of 1930). Before the merger some of the ex-State areas had adopted either Bengal Gambling Act or the Central Act, but after the merger the Bengal Gambling Act was extended to all ex- State areas. In the old district of Sambalpur the CentralAct is in force while in ex-state areas included in these districts the Bengal GamblingAct is in operation. This has created a situation under which the Police Officers in the same district have to apply two different Acts for prosecution of the offenders. It has, therefore, become imperative to replace all theActs by one newAct. Hence this Bill. 1. (1 ) ThisAct may be called the Odisha Prevention of GamblingAct, 1955.
4. (2) It extends to the whole of the State of Odisha
5. (3) It shall come into force at once provided that the State Government shall have power by notification to direct from time to time the suspension of operation of Section 7 in such area. and for such period ail may be specified in the said notification. Definitions