PANJIM: While the Golden Globe Hotels Private Limited (GGHPL) is set to begin operations of its off-shore casino ‘Big Daddy,’ the anti-casino activists have yet again launched a scathing attack against the BJP-led coalition for failing to wipe out the casino culture from Goa.
NGO Aaam Aurat Admi Against Gambling (AAAAG) has demanded that the new casino vessel be forthwith removed. “The BJP government had promised that casinos would be removed from River Mandovi. The (then) chief minister Manohar Parrikar had categorically stated that within four years of his tenure, the casinos would be phased out but instead, the term of the existing casinos has been extended by another six months,” NGO’s convener Sabina Martins said.
“This saga of repeated extension of permission to operate casinos clearly indicates that the BJP government has no intention to stop casinos but instead supports its proliferation,” she alleged.
‘Big Daddy’ which is a new version of the very controversial M V Lucky 7 offshore casino vessel (that ran aground at Miramar beach in July, 2017), was anchored in River Mandovi on March 13. The vessel has replaced M V San Domino, which was leased by the company for one year.
Before the political development owing to Parrikar’s death on Sunday, Minister Jayesh Salgaonkar had announced holding a meeting to look into the haste in bringing the offshore casino vessel at this time when election code is already in force.
The NGO has also lashed out at the Congress for bringing the casino culture to Goa stating, “The Congress party when in power brought in the casinos and when in opposition opposed it.”
The NGO has demanded that all the legislators repeal the amendment made to the Goa Gambling Act to permit casinos, and to soon bring into force Gaming Commission.
AAAAG also called upon the people of Goa to pressurize their elected representatives to repeal the amendment.
