PANAJI: The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) is set to decide on permission for a new 112-meter-long offshore casino in the River Mandovi at its upcoming council meeting, following requests from residents urging the council to oppose additional gambling establishments.
Earlier today, Panaji residents, led by AAP Goa chief Valmiki Naik and activist Sabina Martins, met the Mayor to submit a letter opposing casinos and urged the disallowance of the proposed five-story, 112-meter casino on the Mandovi River.
“We have agreed to place the matter at the start of the council meeting so that the concerns of citizens are formally presented,” said Mayor Monserrate.
Clarifying the Corporation’s role, the Mayor explained that CCP does not have authority over casino licensing or river-based operations. “CCP only grants trade licenses for offices located on land. We have no role in setting up casinos on the river or issuing their licenses. That comes under the Home Department and Captain of Ports,” he said.
He added that no application for a trade license has been submitted to the CCP so far. “All we do is collect garbage fees; water and river operations are not under our jurisdiction,” he noted. In his personal view, he said, “I don’t gamble, and I don’t like the habit. But I also know that casinos contribute a lot to the city’s economy. That is why people tolerate them, despite the social issues they create.”
Speaking to reporters after meeting the Mayor, residents and activists voiced strong opposition to the proposal. The AAP Goa Chief highlighted the scale of the project, saying, “A massive casino that is 112 meters long and 27 meters high is proposed. This means a casino vessel bigger than Panaji’s buildings is coming into our Mandovi River. The total capacity is almost 10 times what it originally was. The negative impact—parking issues, garbage, crime, and river pollution—has also increased tenfold.”
Naik warned of safety risks, adding, “There are literally thousands of people in the casinos… they have only two choices: die by fire or die by drowning. Is this the choice we want to give visitors?”
Activist Martins also raised concerns over the social impact, saying, “The impact is that drugs, prostitution, and money laundering have increased… people are entering homes. There is no safety. Bank frauds, suicides, and murders have happened. Now guns are being used. It’s like a Mafia Raj. We want the casinos removed.”
Both Naik and Martins stressed that the responsibility for river-based casinos ultimately lies with the Home Department and the Chief Minister. “The Mayor says river issues don’t come under him. The Captain of Ports says it’s the Home Department. Our Chief Minister must stop these casinos. We should generate revenue ethically. Just because drugs or prostitution bring money, should we support them?” asked Martins.
Naik added that the delegation will now take the matter to Panaji MLA Atanasio Monserrate and also submit letters to the Captain of Ports, GCZMA, Home Secretary, River Navigation Department, and the Police. "We will meet the MLA and also ask him to take us to the Chief Minister. A decision has to be made at the state level because enough is enough,” he said.
The CCP council is expected to hold a special session on February 12 at 11 am, where the casino proposal and citizens’ concerns will be formally discussed.
