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Goa casinos get 6-month extension, AGAIN

Casinos in Goa are 20 years old, globally attracting tourists. On Wednesday, the cabinet once again announced another six months extension for offshore casinos to operate from River Mandovi until 31^st March 2020.

The state has 5 offshore casinos anchored in the river and nine at the other five-star hotels. The government is coming up with a long-term policy in this regard so that the matter does not crop up before them every six months.

While an alternative site is yet to be finalized, Minister for science and technology, Michael Lobo said one of the casinos could be relocated where the Calangute and Saligao constituencies meet. Lobo stated, “Identification of the place is under way, and within the next fix-six days I will give you the location. Then we will shift the rest of the vessels one by one.”

State governments have been under pressure to shift the casinos due to demand from the opposition and the natives. The Panaji election in May, Congress candidate Atanasio Monserrate, promised to shift out casinos within 100 days of being elected.

The Port Minister further added that a final decision will be taken after consulting with MLAs and other ministers as the casino industries have made huge investments in the state and cannot be expected to survive in the given scenario. While one of the offshore casino operators has willingly agreed to shift out of the River Mandovi in the area between Aguada and Coco beach.

“We have also told the CM that this extension of six months being given over and over again, it should not happen this way. We should take a decision once and for all on the policy. The CM has said before the expiry of six months we will do something about it. his started in Manohar Parrikar’s We must see from the perspective of people investing in businesses in Goa. People should have a positive mind when they come to Goa to invest,” Lobo said.

Keep reading GutshotMagazine.com for more such industry and general casino-related news around the world.

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