At a hearing of the Bombay High Court in Panaji, offshore casino operators in Goa have conceded that they could anchor their vessels along either side of the Mandovi River, leaving its navigation channels free. The Goan government has ordered the casino ships to relocate in Aguada Bay – the 8 June deadline has already passed – but the Association of Offshore Casino Operators (AOCO) appealed to the High Court. The AOCO claims that the offshore licences were granted for the Mandovi River and that Aguada Bay is unsuitable because of choppy waters.

The Captain of Ports Department in Goa has said the casinos need to be moved because of congestion problems in the Mandovi River. The government has come under increasing pressure from opposition politicians, environmentalists and the public amid allegations of corruption in the granting of offshore casino licences to seven operators. Six vessels are already functioning, with a seventh expected soon. Tomorrow the Ports Department will meet with the AOCO in an attempt to negotiate an acceptable solution.

The casino operators’ vessels had not been required to be seaworthy as they were licensed for the Mandovi, and a move to the more distant Aguada Bay would certainly affect business. As John Snowball, spokesman for the AOCO, said last month, “Why should the operators move out when the government has given licence to operate in River Mandovi? We have invested nearly US$100 million, after narrowing the options down to the Mandovi River being the ideal site for hosting our vessels.” (E-06.16.09)

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