Casinos’ Rs 250cr dues, live gaming trigger oppn attack, seeks shutdown

Porvorim: The opposition on Tuesday cornered govt in the assembly, stating that it had failed to act against onshore casinos, allowing live gaming on their premises and demanded the shutdown of such casinos.

Opposition leader Yuri Alemao demanded that govt recover Rs 250 crore dues from casino operators. He also demanded that govt appoint a full-time gaming commission to conduct raids at casinos.

Chief minister Pramod Sawant denied that live gaming occurred at onshore casinos.

“Once Goa was known for sun, sand, fun, and freedom, but today it is known for gaming, drugs, narcotics, and prostitution in the name of these casinos,” Alemao said. He said govt has appointed a GST commissioner as a gaming commissioner but that is not a full-time role.

“Why don’t we have a full-time gaming commissioner?” Alemao said. “How many inspections or raids have been conducted by this gaming commissioner? The CM replied that 15 onshore casinos operate in the state, and they are permitted to operate electronic and slot machines.”

Alemao added, “However, I charge that these casinos are not permitted (to do so) but are operating live gaming under the live gambling law.”

He went on to say, “Govt received four complaints against onshore casinos for illegal gambling: Chances Casino, Win Grand Seven Casino, Ocean Seven Casino, and Big Daddy, and it has mentioned in a reply that the case is under investigation.”

Further, he said that within 1-2km of the assembly, live gambling is happening at onshore casinos, which is not permitted. Alemao demanded to know the action taken.

“Three casinos have been booked and one case is pending. As per the gaming rules, action would be taken against those casinos,” Sawant said.

The CM said that govt conducts regular inspections of casinos, and if they are found offering live gaming, their licences are suspended.

Alemao said, “According to the data on the dues provided by the CM, Bogmalo Beach Resort has not paid Rs 82 crore from 2018, Novotel Shrem has not paid Rs 80 crore, Hotel Vainguinim Valley Resort has not paid Rs 15 crore, O Hotel has not paid Rs 10 crore, Grand Hyatt has not paid Rs 5 crore, Hotel Rio has not paid Rs 11 crore, and Big Daddy has not paid Rs 30 crore.”

He added, “The total outstanding amount is Rs 350 crore, of which Rs 100 crore is sub judice. Why have you not recovered Rs 250 crore, which has been pending for years? During the monsoon session, we protested.”

Alemao added, “Who is protecting the casino lobby, and what stops you (from acting)? Two years have passed, and you have left these mafia. Why is the department selectively targeting the common person? When will you recover this Rs 350 crore?”

Replying to Alemao, Sawant said, “We have already suspended the licences of some of these casinos and issued show-cause notices to others.” He said that govt is collecting the dues.

“Once the cases are finalised, we will collect the dues within three months. We will collect 100% of the dues,” Sawant said. He said that three casinos have been closed, which come in the list of casinos with the Rs 250 crore dues.

St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar said that those casinos are not closed and still operate. “I will send officials to inspect,” Sawant said.