The Indian state of Sikkim has prohibited local residents from entering casinos, allegedly for their own protection.

On Thursday, Sikkim’s government issued an official notification stating that locals were no longer welcome in the state’s two casinos. The government said it had amended the Sikkim Casino Games (Control and Tax) Rules, 2007 to “safeguard the interest of the local people.”

The government denied that the change was an example of “moral policing.” An official told The Calcutta Telegraph that there had been “lots of opposition from a section of people” who believe gambling “is not good for a progressive state such as Sikkim.” Politicians in India’s other active casino state, Goa, have also considered banning locals.

Effective immediately, only persons bearing a photo ID card or passport issued from a jurisdiction outside Sikkim will be allowed entry. Casino operators will be required to keep records of all people entering their establishments and could face license suspension or revocation if they fail to keep locals out.