“There is still time… I will take my decision on extension or no further extension only on March 30. Government will look into it,” Parsekar told media persons when asked about his Budget proposal to increase the entry fees, renewal and recurring fees of the offshore casinos. “I will take care of the issue,” he said.
The cabinet had in August 2015 extended the deadline to shift offshore casino vessels out of River Mandovi from December 31, 2015 to March 31, this year or till an alternative site is finalised.
Goa has four offshore casino vessels, and the licence of first vessel MV Horse Shoe, operated by Delta Corporation Ltd expired on August 29. The other three vessels, including MV Pride of Goa, expired on September 12, 2015, MV Casino Royale on October 23, 2015 and MV Boa Sorte on December 3, 2015.
