Opposition Alleges Goa Govt is Processing a New Off-Shore Casino License

The ruling BJP party faced another attack from the opposition, which left it red-faced with accusations of allowing a new floating casino on the Mandovi River.

Vijai Sardesai, Fatorda MLA, spoke out in the Zero hour of the House and claimed that the government was currently processing an application by Creative Gaming Solutions Pvt Ltd. The application was for converting the company’s existing vessel, MV San Domino into an off-shore casino. Sardesai brought to the notice of the House that this application process was initiated way back as April 2015 and said, “the government started processing application of the Creative Gaming Solutions Pvt Ltd from April 2015.”

He further reminded that Laxmikant Parsekar, CM had categorically stated that the government would not allow any more casinos on March 5, 2015.

Sardesai played up the anti-casino stand by locals and added, “There is fear in the minds of people that the government will allow more casinos in the state.”

Retaliating to Sardesai’s claims, the CM told the House that the High Court of Bombay at Panaji had not issued any orders to move the casinos out of the Mandovi. Parsekar also added that nor had his government undertaken any responsibility to the Court for the same issue.

The CM did concede that the government had taken a decision to remove the casinos from the Mandovi River, but that this would be done, while keeping in mind investor-confidence, so that it would not hamper in attracting further business to the state.

Keep watching this space for more developments on this story.