Goa Chief Minister open to issue new casino licences

Despite several NGOs opposing casino culture in the tourist state, Goa Chief Minister said that he’s still open to issue new casino licences.

India.- Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar refused in the Legislative Assembly that he had told the House that no new casino licences would be issued by the government.

The Chief Manager was asked by three legislators during the Assembly if it was a fact that the state government had assured in the house that no new license will be issued to casinos and Parsekar said that this was negative.

Parsekar said that there are currently 18 licences for on-shore casino and six for off-shore are issued by the Home Department. All the off shore casinos are anchored in river Mandovi, near Panaji.

Earlier this year Parsekar said that Goa’s economy is dependent on casinos to defend his government’s stand to support offshore and other gambling facilities, although he added that he does not support increasing their number.

Several NGOs had recently organised a march in Panaji city opposing casino culture in the tourist state, demanding that no more licences should be given to these gambling dens.