BJP promised to eliminate casinos
The government of Goa, led by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, plans to license five more casinos in the Indian state, which already has five casinos offshore and about a dozen on land. But the plan will not be implemented without a fight.
According to the Statesman, the BJP is facing opposition from one of its own legislators. North Goa district President Michael Lobo recently told reporters, “Goa cannot have more casinos. It is already having a bad effect on the locals. I know so many instances when young boys spend their days earnings on casino games. This proliferation must stop somewhere.”
Lobo spoke in response to news from Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar that more casinos are on the way?an additional offshore casino, and four more land-based properties. “Increasing the number of casinos is just not right,” Lobo said at a press conference in Panaji. “I am going to oppose the move.”
Before taking power in 2012, the BJP promised it would shut down casinos along with Mandovi River. But now the government is said to be in the pocket of the casino industry.
