Offshore Casinos in Goa Get 6 Months Extension For Relocation

Goa, primarily a tourist favorite and the go-to destination for Casino players in India, who can indulge in various table games on the five offshore casinos currently being operated in the Mandovi river, has seen a steady increase in business over the years. The casinos have time and again been accused of encouraging gambling among Goans and subsequently not fitting in with “public morality” along with polluting the River Mandovi.

It’s been long in discussion that the offshore vessels will be moved to a new location and many environmentalists and authorities like Goa State Pollution Control Board have said that the river from which they trade is no longer safe for bathing, fishing, or playing water sports. This is due to the coliform bacteria, which is said to have polluted the water.

The state currently has five operational offshore casinos anchored in the Mandovi river off Panaji while nine function from five-star hotels.

The BJP-led coalition government in Goa on Wednesday, September 27 approved a six-month extension giving a new life to the vessels and assured that a policy decision would soon be taken on their relocation.

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar also urged the people not to “draw a wrong meaning” on the decision taken by his cabinet.

Parrikar said that the decision was in tune with the promise made by him about a new policy to relocate the offshore casinos from the river.

He stated, “We have extended by six months, but I don’t think I require six months. By December as promised, we should be able to come out with a main policy,”

Government sources indicated that the casino industry could be relocated to the premises of the under-construction Mopa International Airport in Pernem, which is around 45 km from Panaji, where a special entertainment zone is also being created.

Parrikar added that he was against the casino industry and had promised to shut their operations in the state but was forced to allow the operations to continue because of the money operators had invested in the industry.