“The government has failed to act in favour of the people. It is now time for people to act. We urge the people to join the protest at Azad Maidan on Saturday,” AAAAG Convener Sabina Martins said.
AAAAG, at its meeting last weekend had resolved to protest the State’s decision to include MV Royale Flotel – Deltin Caravela, currently berthed near Dr Salim Ali bird sanctuary. “Despite opposition to casinos and the promise of the government to remove casinos, a new casino has been permitted,” Martins said adding that no casino should be allowed either on land or water.
“The amendment to Goa Gambling Prevention Act, made to permit casinos, should be repealed. The amendment allowed offshore casino which according to the definition in maritime laws is meant to be in the sea. When people demanded shifting of casinos out of the rivers, the government changed the definition of offshore to include inland waters,” she alleged.
Martins further stated that every government amended the Act to facilitate casino operations. “Amendments were brought in to include casinos in five-star hotels and changed the definition of five- star hotel and offshore to make it easier for casinos to get permission from local authorities instead of Central authorities,” she added.
AAAAG reiterated its demand that casino gambling addiction should be dealt with seriously and advertisements promoting it – particularly on government properties – be banned as families are suffering financially and emotionally.
“Stop promotion of casino gambling addiction. In the past several years, the government has indulged in casino gambling addiction, by providing infrastructure and legislative benefits. The gambling addiction has grown so much that to feed the addition, the addicts are robbing, cheating and committing forgery, bank frauds, murders and suicides,” she said.
