Bombay High Court Seeks Goa Government Reply on Massive Casino Vessel Entry
The Bombay High Court has directed the Goa government to respond by Friday to a public interest litigation challenging the entry of a 2,000-capacity offshore casino vessel into the Mandovi river. The court, hearing arguments on Wednesday, questioned the navigation risks and legal basis for replacing a small 70-capacity boat with a much larger ship measuring 112 meters. This intervention highlights ongoing tensions over Goa's floating casino industry, where regulatory overlaps between ports authorities and gambling laws fuel disputes.
Court Probes Vessel Size and River Safety
A division bench of Justices Valmiki Menezes and Amit Jamsandekar raised pointed concerns about the new vessel's ability to maneuver in the Mandovi river during emergencies and whether it would obstruct the navigable channel. The judges noted that substituting a small vessel with one over 20 times larger exceeds mere replacement and inquired about any length limits for permitted ships. Advocate General Devidas Pangam countered that a detailed study preceded the October 2022 no-objection certificate, issued solely by the Captain of Ports for vessel entry and registration under the Inland Vessels Act, separate from gambling licensing handled by the home department.
Petitioners Challenge Licence Absence
The PIL, filed by citizen's initiative Enough is Enough, argues the upgrade violates norms since the original small vessel operated under the Public Gambling Act, and no fresh licence exists for the incoming ship. Senior advocate S Muralidhar, for the petitioners, emphasized that RTI disclosures revealed no public records of approvals, urging the court to halt the vessel's journey from Udupi or order its return. He stressed the vessel should not moor in the Mandovi at all without proper gambling authorization, framing the issue as regulatory evasion through port permissions.
Casino Firm Defends Permissions and Timeline
Representing Delta Pleasures Cruise Co Pvt Ltd, senior advocate Darius Khambata asserted that all permissions date to 2022, with the PIL emerging only now as the 112-meter vessel approaches Goa ahead of mid-May rough waters. He clarified no 90-meter length cap exists, allowing up to 120 meters, and the ship will moor aside the channel without blockage. Pangam described it as a "substitute vessel," while the firm confirmed its en route status, setting the matter for further hearing on Monday.
Broader Stakes for Goa's Casino Regulation
Goa's offshore casinos, anchored in the Mandovi since 1996, have long balanced tourism revenue against public concerns over gambling proliferation and riverine safety. This case exposes gaps between maritime entry rules and gambling licences, potentially reshaping how states permit vessel upgrades. With the government reply due Friday, the court's scrutiny could enforce stricter caps or mandate integrated approvals, influencing the sector's expansion amid environmental and navigational vulnerabilities in confined waterways.
