Goa to sell off 5 casinos
They were running even though NOC had expired
Taking a tough stance against offshore casinos, the Goa government said five vessels were being sealed with immediate effect because their NOCs expired earlier this year.
Pride of Goa, Casino Rio, Casino Royale, San Domino and Caravela would have to cease casino operations with immediate effect, Minister for Ports Micky Pacheco told the State Assembly on Monday after BJP leader Manohar Parrikar complained that the casinos were running even though the NOC from the Captain of Ports had long expired.
Notices issued
Six floating casinos had been served notices by the Goa government to move out of the river Mandovi. The casino owners challenged the government order before the High Court.
Last week the Goa government hiked the casino entry fee from Rs 200 to Rs 2,000 to discourage Goans from gambling. We don’t want Goan youth to fall prey to the vices of gambling, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat had told the House on Friday. He also announced a steep increase in the liquor licence fees for the floating casinos that will fetch an additional Rs 36.50 crore in yearly revenues. The government said it was in the process of framing a policy that would put in place regulations for casino operations in the State.
DH News Service
