MARGAO: Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco slammed the government for the not controlling the casino business at the Mandovi River and alleged that the casinos were used to run hawala rackets. He also claimed that only 20 percent of casino employees were Goans, who were being harassed by guests and the management. He demanded a probe into the havala racket and the protection of Goans in the casino industry.
“A hawala operator named Ravi is infusing crores of rupees in gaming. I challenge the government and Enforcement Directorate to investigate and raid the casinos and the threads in the racket, and not just make political raids,” said Lourenco.
He continued, “The Investment Promotion Board promised 50,000 jobs for Goans. Today it is surprising to see 80 percent of casino employees are Nepalese and other non-Goans. 20 percent are Goans, who are given low-level work and are harassed by the management and guests.”
He added, “Three-and-a-half years have passed since the BJP government promised to move the casinos out of the Mandovi River. Till now, not one casino has moved. The Congress was accused of taking money from the casinos. Now who is being paid in the BJP for keeping the casinos in the river?”
Lourenco promised to get more “startling” evidence of the casino business being operated in lawlessness and not being in the better interest of Goa.
