Goa Ports Minister Michael Lobo demands restarting of Casinos in Goa

PANAJI: Goa’s Port’s Minister Michael Lobo has demanded the re-starting of Casinos in the coastal state, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the government for its 100 per cent coverage of the first dose of the Covid vaccine statewide.

“Goa’s economic and tourism activity will increase with re-opening of casinos whether it is taxis, super markets, restaurants, etc. Our request is that the casino activity should start as soon as possible in the interest of tourism in the state of Goa,” Lobo told reporters in the presence of the Chief Minister, soon after the end of Modi’s virtual interaction with the people of the state.

He stressed that there are certain tourists who come to Goa only for casinos and since they are non-operational due to the Covid curfew still in existence in the state, businesses in Goa are losing out in a big way. Those who visit the casinos also visit restaurants, bars and pubs in Goa and this will spur the economic machine in the state, Lobo said.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated that while resumption of the casino industry would help boost tourism in the state, the government will take a decision on the matter soon, after consulting experts and the Health department.

Lobo said leisure and entertainment boats will operate at 60 to 70 per cent capacity in the next few days, after the monsoon-hit seas become calmer.

“We will start catamarans at 60 to 70 per cent capacity. Permissions have been given. The sea is expected to be a bit rough over the next three to four days. All these activities can start, once the sea calms down,” Lobo said.