A private members bill tabled last Friday in Goa proposing that offshore casinos be moved five nautical miles from the coast was defeated. State government Home Minister Ravi Naik stated in the debate that separate legislation covering casinos was being studied as the 2000 amendment to the 1976 Act did not cover all necessary aspects of a gambling law. Naik said the government would look into the international laws governing casinos.

Former Chief Minister and now leader of the opposition Manohar Parrikar, who brought the private members bill, suggested that the government introduced an executive order to stop the casino ships operating in the river. Having been certified sea-worthy by the shipping authorities there is no reason to prevent casino ships anchoring offshore. Parrikar also said that no further licences should be issued until casino legislation is formulated and that both security and regulation should be stricter.

Goa has so far issued two offshore casino licences but only the first, the original Goa Casino on the M.V. Caravela, is operating. The state at present has the only legal casino in India but other states are considering casino legislation. A country with a population of over 1 billion and a growing economy would make an attractive proposition for many casino operators. Last week Sheldon Adelson of Las Vegas Sands commented that his company would be happy to invest in India and build one or more gambling areas like the Las Vegas Strip or the Cotai Strip. (E-09.01.08)

© Copyright 2008 CasinoCompendium



>>> return to archives
>>> return to frontpage