Says in 10 years, State will be known only for casinos
the goan I network
PANAJI
“Goa is the third largest casino destination after Las Vegas and Macau. Macau has no identity left. It is only known for casinos. The same people who run casinos have invested here,” Madkaikar said adding that the takeover of FC Goa by casino honcho Jaydev Mody was symbolic of the change of fortunes of business houses in the State.
“It shows how powerful Jaydev Mody is. He will soon take control of Goa. Jaydev Mody will decide who is the chief minister of Goa. Ten years from now, the Goa will be known only for casinos,” Madkaikar said.
Replying to the issue of casinos, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar reiterated that it was the Congress that brought casinos to Goa pointing to the fact that both the amendments to the Goa Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act was done during the Congress tenure as well as the casinos came in during Congress tenures.
“In the year 2008, three casinos came to Goa in three months that of August, September and October. It is only after we held our torch rally, that the pace of giving licences stopped,” Parsekar said.
“It is because we opposed, that they have stopped giving licences. Else there would have been as many casinos as there are trawlers,” Parsekar said.
He reiterated that his government will not be entertaining fresh applications for casinos.
Earlier, Curtorim legislator Aleixo Lourenço had, while speaking during the discussion of the budget, said that there was only development for casinos in the State.
“What were small boats have become big boats and the number has increased,” Lourenço said.
