PORVORIM: Amidst opposition from various quarters over the continuance of casinos vessels in the State, particularly the five vessels anchored in River Mandovi, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday assured the Legislative Assembly that no more permissions for casinos either on land or offshore would be granted. The government, he said, has decided to cap the offshore casinos to the existing five in River Mandovi while fresh licenses will not be granted for land casinos in five-star hotels.
Replying to demands for grants related to Home portfolio, Parrikar recalled that legislation enacted in 2012 banning entry of Goans on offshore casinos would be implemented with more changes in the next three months.
“The number of offshore casinos in River Mandovi would be capped to five vessels. These five will be shifted to the land in next three years. Government, by law, has the powers to cap the casinos. I assure the House that no sixth casino will come in River Mandovi,” he said to thunderous applause from the MLAs. The CM stated that the sixth offshore casino – M V Lucky 7 that ran aground at Miramar beach over a week ago – can go somewhere else and operate only if people in the particular area do not have a problem.
Parrikar also assured the House that the amendment to Prevention of Gambling Act would be made during the next Assembly session which will ensure that all casinos in River Mandovi cease to exist after three years.“We will delete the clause that allow casinos on vessels. The offshore casinos will be given an option to move on to land in the special entertainment zone where Goans would be banned from entering,” he said. “If offshore casino operator does not move to the special entertainment zone within three years, he will not be able to operate in the river,” he added. Consultancy firm KPMG has been designated to identify the entertainment zone.
The details of the policy are still being worked out and the CM assured to take the Opposition MLAs into confidence. It will include
banning Goans in casinos as entry will be allowed for the tourists only based on proper verification of the documents.
He pointed out that during his tenure in 2012, he had passed a legislation which allowed only tourists to visit the offshore casinos. However, he said, the legislation never came into force. Parrikar also assured that a Gaming Commissioner who will be a nodal officer for the casino activities in the State will be appointed.
The CM agreed that revenue from casinos is not a necessity, claiming that hard earned money is poured down the drain.
While a few ruling legislators demanded that the government should not close new licenses for land casinos citing it would affect the tourism industry, Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes urged the government to shift one of the casinos on land to Canacona as it would provide employment to the Goans. All these factors, the CM said will be discussed as the policy is yet to be in place.
