It is 25 years since the first casino, “Casino Carnival,” began its operation in Goa in 1999 onboard a yacht in the Mandovi River. Down the years several casino vessels (CV) anchored and some quietly sailed away or were replaced. What began as a single CV has now gone up to six. In July 2023, the Chief Minister had assured that permission would not be given to more offshore casinos. Let us hope for the best.
“Offshore” is a misnomer as several petitions in the Bombay High Court at Goa argued that “offshore” means 12 nautical miles (22 km) off the coast. A few years back the government-of-the day wanted the CV to move beyond the Aguada sandbar but this never happened. This is because, the CV owners were apprehensive of increasing cost, maintenance, rough sea and whether people would have the stomach to take a ride on speedboats to the CV.
Perhaps the CV could be aptly called as “river casinos.” But in December 2016 an amendment was made by the Goa Cabinet that defined “offshore” as “Any designated location in the sea, river and estuary within the jurisdiction of the Captain of Ports, Government of Goa.” And thus, the CV have found their cozy home in the serene River Mandovi. Incidentally, instead of “gambling” the term “gaming” is used so that when any one sins, they will not feel guilty! Anyway, it is all a gamble on words.
