Longtime political football
All casino boats operating off the coast of Goa must move to land within three years, says Goa’s Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Parrikar made the announcement last week. The boats have been the subject of much public opposition, and were criticized for disrupting local fisheries, corrupting the public and reportedly polluting the waters of the Mandovi River. Though politicians in the Indian state promised several times to relocate the boats, they didn’t follow through, and in April even allowed the number of licensed boats to increase from five to six.
Jaydev Mody, chairman of Delta Corp., which operates three casino cruisers, told BloombergQuint, “This land-based concept of the government seeks to address all these concerns, whether valid or not.”
There are currently 10 land-based casinos in Goa, but high-stakes live gaming is permitted only on the floating casinos, which puts the transfer and renewal of licenses at stake, the website reported.
Parrikar told lawmakers that casinos brought new industry and tax revenues to the state, and shutting them down would discourage investor interest. Like many politicians, he said he personally is “serious” in his “opposition to casinos,” but said it’s not in the best interests of the public or private industry to eliminate operations. It is the government’s duty “to ensure there is continuity in policies,” he told the Goa House.
In July, Parrikar said the state’s share of casino revenue has more than doubled in the past three years, going from Rs 78.6 crore (US $12.2 million) in 2014-15 to Rs 162 crore (US$25.2 million) in 2016-17. Parrikar said the industry has “contributed towards welfare and growth of the people and state” by creating jobs and boosting tourism.
Meanwhile, officials in Goa are considering cashless transactions at five casino boats and nine land-based casinos, according to the New Indian Express. “The issue will be examined as per the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act of 1976 and rules framed thereunder,” said Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who also serves as finance minister.
Bharata Janiya Party legislator Alina Saldanha asked has called the use of cash at casino tables a “major loophole.”
