Goa politicians confident on casino relocation

Politicians from Goa have reiterated that the offshore casinos will be removed from the River Mandovi.

India.- The deadline to relocate offshore casinos out of River Mandovi is just around the corner. While extensions have been granted multiple times, MLA Atanasio Monserrate said that this time they will relocate them.

Monserrate talked to media and said that he was confident that Port Minister Michael Lobo will work with him to shift the casinos to Calangute, a touristic spot. “As promised to the people of Panjim, I am here to ensure that offshore casinos are removed from River Mandovi.”

“There is no going back on the promise. You (media) be rest assured that they will be removed,” Monserrate said. “I am confident that Lobo will help us to remove casinos and shift them in his constituency,” he added.

Goa residents barred from casino gambling

The state government announced plans to ban residents from entering casino floors. However, the authorities didn’t set any timeline for the implementation of such a controversial measure.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told the Legislative Assembly that the government will fix a date to enforce the prohibition. After that, no Goa residents will be allowed in any casino — not the six offshore venues nor the eight land-based operations.

“I am of the opinion that Goans should not be allowed in casinos. The Goa Gambling Policy makes it clear that casinos are allowed only for tourism purpose and not for Goans to visit,” Sawant said. 

“We have to sit and fix a date after which Goans will not be allowed to enter casinos. They would be barred from entering offshore and onshore casinos,” he assured.