Goa grants six-month extension to casinos

The new extension allows the facilities to keep operating on the Mandovi River for six more months.

India.- The government of Goa has granted a new extension to casino operators, allowing them to keep operating on the Mandovi River until March 30, 2019. Local authorities have been trying to find a new place to relocate the off-shore casinos for years.

The announcement made by the state Public Works Department Minister Sudin Dhavalikar applies to the six off-shore casinos that are currently functional in that river. The previous six-month extension that was granted to the operators expired yesterday, and the new one will allow the casinos to keep their operations until the end of the first trimester of 2019. “Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has signed the cabinet note (in this connection),” said Minister Dhavalikar.

Earlier this year, Parrikar said that starting from 2019, native Goans will be banned from entering casinos. “As a policy, Goans will not be permitted to enter the casino playing areas. Only visiting tourists shall be allowed. A mechanism will be put in place once the gaming commissioner is appointed,” the Chief Minister said.