With protesters digging in their heels against the Leela group’s floating casino operating in river Sal in South Goa, the Goa government said no offshore casinos would be allowed to navigate or berth in the state's rivers.

“The law clearly says they are offshore casinos. Let them operate as such. We cannot allow them in the rivers,” Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat told Deccan Herald. He said the government was scrutinising the terms of the licences given to the new offshore casinos.

Six new offshore casinos were cleared by Kamat’s predecessor Pratapsingh Rane earlier this year, and its implications are being felt by the present government. On Sunday, a huge turnout of protesters supporting the Save River Sal Front threatened to intensify the agitation against the Leela vessel and the hotel’s move to dredge the river, which villagers say would impact traditional livelihoods of fishing communities there. The agitation has the full-scale backing of the Goa Church.

“The point is, the offshore licences were given to make sure that the casinos would operate far from the state shores. The Leela boat is anchored in the river and impedes traditional fishing activity” Goa Bachao Abhiyan spokesman Sridhar Kamat says.

The GBA, which has thrown its weight behind the fishermen’s agitation, says the government would have to face growing public resentment if it failed to get the Leela vessel towed out of the river. 

Caught in a tangle over the definition of “offshore” casinos, Goa chief secretary J P Singh said the government had sought the opinion of the Director General of Shipping to clear the air on the matter. “A decision will be taken soon. If the villagers and fishermen don’t want the boat there, it cannot be allowed to ply in the river,” he said.
Hotel Leela Venture is the second operator after the Advani Pleasure Cruise to acquire an offshore casino licence.
Hotelier Sunder Advani’s casino Caravela has been running off the Panjim jetty for the last six years.