Members of Goa civil society and women’s collectives under the umbrella of Aam Aurat Admi Against Gambling (AAAAG) have objected to the addition of casinos on the Mandovi river instead of removing the existing ones.
In particular, AAAAG has demanded that a new casino named Big Daddy be removed forthwith, said Sabina Martins, the convenor of the organisation opposing gambling. AAAAG condemned the decision to bring in casinos and reiterated its long-term demand that all Goa’s legislators must repeal the amendment made to the Goa Gambling (Prevention) Act to permit casino operatives.
“The Bharatiya Janata Party government had promised that the casinos would be removed from the Mandovi. (late) Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had categorically stated that within four years of his tenure, the casinos would be phased out. Instead of phasing them out, the term of the existing casinos has been extended by another six months,” Ms. Martins said.
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The group has pointed out that till date, no Gaming Commissioner, as long promised by the BJP government, has been appointed, while the power to complain to lower courts has been removed by amending the Act. “Amendments and regulations are made to favour casinos. While the world over, regulations govern casinos on the percentage of money to be given back to players, in Goa the casinos are having a field day looting them as no such regulations are implemented. There are no accountability mechanisms to check whether those employed are free from exploitation and addiction,” said co-convenor of AAAAG, Anand Madgaoncar.
In the past few years, a cost-benefit analysis of casinos indicates that the industry has negatively impacted the lives of people in the State, said second co-convenor Rui Fereira. Addiction to gambling has increased, while prostitution and alcoholism have become rampant. There are increased incidents of crime and public property like footpaths, jetties and rivers are privatised, said Mr. Fereira. He also said while the properties are being sold to pay off casino debts, crime over property within families has increased. The casinos, he alleged, have amassed huge properties all over Goa, especially adjacent to river banks and the proposed Mopa airport in North Goa.
Ms. Martins warned that the State’s economy is being pivoted on casino tourism, which will be Goa’s death knell.
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Ms. Martins said their organisation is urging the people of Goa to put pressure on elected representatives to repeal the amendment. Goa has six offshore casinos while around 10 onshore casinos are restricted to resorts belonging to five and seven-star hotels.