Goa: state’s casino cruises still looking for a site

Government could not find yet a place to shift the boats from their current site, because of a strong local opposition.

India.- Goan State’s casino ships are supposed to be shifted from their current position, in the Mandovi River, in March next year. But the government could not find a new site yet because of a strong local opposition.

According local media reports, the government suggested alternative sites, such as river Zuari, Aguada bay, Chapora and Sal rivers. All of them were rejected due to public protest. 

There are six floating casino ships in the Mandovi River now, three of them operated by Deltin Group, an offshoot of India’s main casino operator Delta Corp. They had received state approval to shift its Deltin Caravela casino to a different spot on the Mandovi river. However, due to growing public discontentment, Goa’s government has for years now been trying to shift all six casinos to some other location, to a spot near Goa’s in-development airport. But public opposition from these other temporary aquatic berths has kept Goa’s floating casinos in perpetual limbo that has not found a solution yet.

Government has also come under pressure to restart deliberations on a casino policy. It had not been in debate since 2013.