Goa is considered the Las Vegas of India. It is one of only three places India legally allows casinos to operate. Goa is also the only state that permits live gaming, though there are restrictions. On November 20, 2015, it was announced that Goa’s gaming industry is facing political opposition. The casinos are rising in popularity; however, four of the offshore casino licences are set to expire on March 31, 2016. There is considerable pressure on the government not to allow these licences to be renewed. The opposition is asking for the casinos to move out of Mandovi River and locate somewhere in the deep sea away from Goa.
There are two reasons for this current opposition. Political parties and other non-government organisations believe casinos and gambling are a bad influence. They feel casinos lead to gambling addicts.
Luizinho Faleiro, a leader of the opposition party and part of the Indian National Congress, stated, “It is an evil affecting Goan society. Many young Goans are falling for this culture, ruining their life and destroying their families.
Other critics believe the riverboat casinos are polluting the River Mandovi. The campaign to shut these casinos was started with the Bhartiya Janta Party and is now ruling the state. There is also a proposal to stop local residents from going to the casinos at all.
The casino owners do not support the allegations being made. They further contend that they are providing jobs for locals, which helps the economy. Government officials do not believe local residents will be banned.
According to William Britto, who owns Chances casino and resorts, “Any such move will be unconstitutional and will be counterproductive.”
Officials are looking for alternative locations where the ships can be placed after licences expire. However, it is expected that the casinos will receive extensions, like the last few times.