2 off-shore casinos yet to submit papers to CoP

PANJIM, JAN 19
While the three months time given by the State government to off-shore casinos operating in the Mandovi River to submit relevant documents lapsed this month, two off-shore casinos are yet to submit their documents to Captain of Ports (CoP)
Two off shore casinos — Casino Royale and San Domino have not submitted their documents and instead have sought more time, said a government officer on condition of anonymity.
“The government has not taken any decision yet, “ he added. The two off-shore casinos in question have not been issued NOC by the CoP, said CoP sources.
Last month, the government had declared that it would issue show cause notices to off-shore casinos operating without trade licences.
It is also learnt that the Law Department had given a green signal to the government to issue show cause notices to off-shore casinos operating without trade licences.
The Director General of Shipping had issued notice to Casino Royale, run by Highstreet Cruises and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, asking them to get a trade licence, which is mandatory as per Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.
But it seems the government has “no will” to act against off-shore casinos operating without relevant documents.
The State government has given licences for seven off-shore casinos to operate in Mandovi River basin. Currently, five casinos Casino Royale, Mint, Caravela, Carnival and Maharaja are operational.
CoP sources said that of the seven, only four off-shore casinos – Casino Royale, Casino Pride, Casino Caravela and Casino Carnival, are operational.
Minister Nilkant Halarnkar said that action would be taken against Casino Royale as it has been operating without mandatory licence.
“We have already written to Home Ministry to take action against the off-shore casinos, which are not having the licences,” he said adding that the off-shore casinos have been given three months time to present their documents.
The minister said that the action will be taken against them by February, next year.
He said that casinos without seaworthiness should not be allowed to operate. “We don’t want to risk lives of the people,” Halarnkar added.
“We are issuing show-cause notices to off-shore casinos, which are operating without a valid trade licence,” stated Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivastava told reporters at Chief Minister’s residence last evening.