VIKANT SAHAY & AJIT JOHN
PANJIM: When many of the early players at Goa’s off shore casinos took the feeder boat to the casino vessels, little did they know that their freewheeling lifestyle, with loads of cash always at their disposal was on the verge of drowning — at least temporarily.
Some gamblers Herald spoke to, while they were coming out of one of the casino vessels, reported that, out of sheer curiosity, they heard the Prime Minister’s sudden speech to the nation, on TV sets on one of the casino boats. And this is what he said of what happened when the PM gave his speech. “There was a collective groan among those at the tables when the Prime Minister said 500 and 1000 rupee notes would be worthless pieces of paper. We had a sinking feeling”. He openly admitted that here huge amounts of cash dealings in various forms took place.
And soon the feeder boats made their way with those on the casino tables, leaving most offshore casinos sparse. This also meant that businesses like taxi services were not making any money due to the absence of gamblers.
Curiously, a business which thrives on chances, did not want to take any chances. One casino attached to a major hotel, put up notices informing they would not be accepting Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes. However, to queer the pitch even further, staff at the same casino made it clear to visitors that payment via credit card or debit card would not be welcome. They were only willing to take Rs 100 currency notes for the entry fee and other purposes.
At another casino, the staff was willing to receive payment by cash or card but when they were asked how they would pay the winnings, the manager said they would pay in Rs 500 and Rs 1000 and it would be up to the client to sort his way out at the bank.
A senior former executive of the casino industry who did not want to come on record said this change by the government would have severe repercussions on the casino industry. Goa, he said, would suffer because the casinos were paying the exchequer approximately Rs 300 crore ever year which were much-needed funds for the State government. In the short term he said the casinos would be empty and it would be prudent to say that in 6 or 7 months the crowds could come back.
The executive also stated that this decision by the government would have serious knock on effects on the tourism industry. He said, “Air tickets are purchased on line with a card but the small hotels that dot the landscape only accept payment by cash. The taxi driver has to be paid in cash. The high rollers who usually lost or won big at the casinos would keep away because there would be no place to hide all that cash, he said.
