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The Goa government will not close down off shore casinos in the state but would instead get them out of Mandovi river here in a phased manner, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today told the State Legislative Assembly.
"I never said that I am going to close the casinos (off shore). I will just move them out of (river) Mandovi," Parrikar said while responding to a question in the House.
Parrikar said that within two years, all the off shore casinos would be moved out of Mandovi in phases.
The issue was raised on the floor of the House by Congress legislator Aleixo Reginald and Independent legislators - Vijay Sardesai and Rohan Khaunte.
Reginald questioned the government over the renewal of licence to off shore casino vessel Horseshoe, which replaced smaller M V Arabian and changed its name to 'Delta In' later "How can a bigger size vessel be allowed to operate on the same licence granted to the one with smaller capacity " he asked.
To which the chief minister said that current rule do not specify the size of the vessel while granting licence.
"But we are framing new rules which will have the fee based on the carrying capacity of the vessel," he added.
