Panaji, Jul 4 (TOI): Failing to identity an alternate site to relocate offshore casinos, the state government has extended permission to the vessels to continue operations from the Mandovi river by three months.

A notification to the effect states that offshore casinos can continue to remain in the Mandovi river till September 30, 2017, instead of June 30, 2017.

The five offshore casino licencees — Delta Corp Ltd, Goa Coastal Resorts and Recreation Pvt Ltd, Highstreet Cruises and Entertainment, Golden Peace Infrastructure Pvt Ltd and Delta Pleasure Cruise Company— have now more time to move out their vessels...

Soon, a sixth offshore casino, belonging to Golden Globe Hotels Private Ltd (GGHPL), is likely to enter the Mandovi river.
Earlier, the cabinet had resolved not to renew offshore casino licences expiring after March 31, 2014, for operations in the current location, but in a cabinet meeting in March 2014, licences of offshore casinos expiring on or before March 31, 2014, were renewed by two years to allow them time to make alternate arrangements to move out of the Mandovi river.

Subsequently, the government started looking for alternate sites and locations were even identified in the Aguada bay, and Zuari, Chapora and Sal rivers. But, the proposal to shift the vessels never saw light of day during the last two years. In fact, the proposal was shot down on grounds on non-viability.

After the BJP-led government took charge in March, chief minister Manohar Parrikar had said that his government is committed to moving casinos out of the Mandovi river, but only after an alternate site was identified. BJP coalition partners had also demanded that offshore casinos be moved out of the Mandovi river.

In its recently announced common minimum programme, the state government has stated that floating casinos will be shifted from their current location.