PANJIM: Aam Aurat Admi Against Gambling (AAAAG) has demanded the immediate removal of offshore casinos from River Mandovi at a demonstration in the capital on Saturday.
NGO Convener Sabina Martins said they have received a good response from several organizations, women activists and other individuals supporting the campaign.
“We received tremendous response from all those who are against casino culture in the State. The attendees have signed on the memorandum demanding removal of casinos, which will be submitted to the Chief Minister (Laxmikant Parsekar) for action,” she said.
AAAAG, at its meeting last weekend had resolved to protest the State’s decision to permit MV Royale Flotel – Deltin Caravela – currently berthed near Dr Salim Ali bird sanctuary – to start casino operations. “Despite public opposition to the casinos and the promise of the government to remove casinos, the new casino has been permitted,” Martins said adding that no casino should be permitted either on land or waters of Goa.
The activists demanded 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.
