Just a few days back one of the BJP’s Damu Naik spoke of his party not wanting casinos…. and then we have this announcement today !!!
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Float-on-the-Mandovi-in-5-star-comfort-soon/articleshow/52754291.cms
Casino Caravela, Goa’s first offshore casino, will re-enter the River Mandoviwithin a couple of days as the state’s first five-star standard floating hotel-cum-casino.In May 2013, Caravela was moved out of the River Mandovi for refurbishing. It was renamed M V Royal Flotal.
The caption of ports (CoP) has granted M V Royal Flotal permission to ply in Goan inland waters, and the ship has entered the Cumbharjua canal. Presently, the Deltin group is awaiting mooring permission before it can commence operations.
The state government has renewed Deltin Pleasure Cruise Company Private Limited‘s gaming licence. The company belongs to the Delta Group and chairman Delta Group Jaydev Mody told TOI : “We have got our gaming licence renewed and after getting all necessary permissions we will bring Casino Caravela to Britona.”
The Deltin Group said the luxury vessel has been designed to attract the “creme de la creme” high-end tourist. The aim is to give the tourism sector a major boost in terms of high-spending visitors.
Casino Caravela has a total of 8 suites, each of an average size of 500-plus square feet and equipped with all modern amenities. Additionally, there are two super-luxurious duplex suits, an open to the sky, air-conditioned restaurant on the sundeck, jacuzzi, spa and library.
Recently, the state cabinet granted Casino Caravela permission to move into the River Mandovi as the government had failed to identify an alternate location, away from the River Mandovi, for casinos to operate from.
There are four offshore casinos operating in the state of which two each belong to the Delta Group and the Pride Group. The Ashok Khetrapal-led Pride Group, in 2013, purchased Casino Carnival from V M Salgaocar and Bro Private Limited.