The state cabinet’s move to redefine the
term "off-shore casino” in the Goa Gambling Act will pave the way to casino
vessels operating in all rivers across Goa. That was the claims made by
opposition party Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM).
"The Cabinet decision has to be converted into an amendment to the Goa Gambling
Act. But since the elections are [around] the corner, and there may be no more
session of the assembly and this is the main reason why the government took the
decision hurriedly,” GSM President Anand Shirodkar was quoted byHerald
Goa.
In the amendment, an "off-shore casino” may
be allowed to operate not just on the Mandovi River, but also on Terekhol,
Chapora, Mapusa, Cumbharjua channel, Zuari and Sal.
Currently, there are five floating casinos operating on the Mandovie river. The
fleet of berth casinos, however, only have until March 31, 2017, to find a new
location to call home. There had been offers of relocating to the Zuari river
near Chicalim, located about 3km from the Dabolim international airport, but
the casino owners have yet to sign on.
The Indian government announced several weeks ago that they are scrapping 1,000 and 500 rupee notes as part of their anti-graft and corruption crackdown as well as to flush out tax evaders in the country. The sudden announcement left many sectors stunned, especially the casino vessels moored off the shores of the state of Goa. According to the state media outlets, the limited availability of cash has forced many offshore casinos to shut down their operations temporarily.
Casino management initially allowed payments in the demonetized currency, but that decision was rolled back after the vessels started running short of currency notes. Goa chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar admitted that casinos "are likely to get affected” by the demonetization, but he allayed the fears of casino operators against the demonetized currency.
"All those with black money will be
affected. Those with clean money need not worry,” Parsekar said.
Source: GMB / Calvinayre.com
