Goa casino row: Court seeks reply on 2,000-capacity ship
The Bombay High Court at Goa has asked the Government of Goa to file its response in a petition challenging permission granted to a large casino and entertainment vessel on the River Mandovi. The case has been brought by residents from Panaji and Reis Magos, who have raised concerns over safety, legality and the scale of the proposed vessel.
Residents challenge casino vessel approval
Citizens living on both sides of the River Mandovi have opposed the decision to allow a new offshore casino vessel to berth in the river. The proposed vessel is significantly larger than the existing one it is set to replace. According to the petition, the new boat is 112 metres long and 28 metres wide, with a height of seven storeys. It has a capacity of 2,000 guests.
The current vessel, MV Royale Flotel, measures 60.2 by 13 metres and has a capacity of 70 guests. Petitioners argue that such a sharp increase in size and capacity has been approved without proper consideration of its impact.
Concerns over navigational safety
The petition highlights objections raised earlier by key authorities. The Captain of Ports and the Secretary of Ports had warned that adding a vessel of this size could create navigational hazards. They noted that clustering of multiple casino vessels in the same area may lead to congestion and create a bottleneck at mooring points.
Residents have echoed these concerns, stating that the River Mandovi already hosts several offshore casino vessels. They argue that introducing a much larger vessel could affect river traffic and increase risks.
Capacity exceeds existing combined limits
The petition also points out that the proposed vessel alone would have a higher capacity than all existing offshore casino vessels combined. At present, Goa has six offshore casino vessels operating in the river. Together, these vessels have a total capacity of 1,987 guests.
The addition of a single vessel with a capacity of 2,000 guests has raised questions about planning and regulation. Petitioners have stated that such a move requires a detailed review of environmental, safety and operational factors.
Legal questions over licence transfer
A key issue raised in the petition relates to the legality of replacing the existing vessel. The petitioners have argued that the Goa Gambling Act does not allow for direct replacement of one vessel with another.
They have cited Section 13E of the Act, which permits transfer of a licence to another person. However, they argue that the licence remains linked to the specific vessel and its approved capacity. According to them, any new vessel must apply for a fresh licence, especially if there is a major change in size and passenger capacity.
Economic contribution of casino sector
Goa’s casino industry plays a significant role in the state’s revenue. The state currently has 17 operational casinos, including six offshore and 11 onshore properties. These casinos contribute substantial income through licence fees and taxes.
As per government data, offshore and onshore casinos together pay ₹354 crore in annual licence fees. They also contribute ₹437.23 crore through GST and ₹11.42 crore towards river navigation. In total, the sector contributes ₹812.68 crore to the state exchequer.
Environmental concerns
The Mandovi river currently hosts six offshore casinos anchored off Panaji, making it one of India’s most concentrated river-based gaming corridors.
For many residents, the issue goes beyond corporate strategy. The Mandovi river supports biodiversity, fishing livelihoods, and Panaji’s environmental stability.Activists warn that expanding vessel size and capacity increases risks ranging from waste discharge to disruption of aquatic ecosystems.
Earlier Japneet Singh Sethi, iGaming strategist, explained that sustainability depends less on individual vessels and more on overall regulation and density. “Floating casinos can be operationally sustainable if capacity is controlled and environmental compliance is strictly enforced,” he told SiGMA News exclusively.
“The real risk isn’t a single large vessel, but unchecked clustering within a limited river ecosystem. Mandovi is already a mature gaming corridor, and sustainability ultimately depends on regulatory discipline,” Sethi added.
The High Court has now directed the Government of Goa to respond to the concerns raised in the petition. The matter is expected to focus on regulatory compliance, safety considerations and adherence to existing laws governing offshore casinos.
Further proceedings will determine whether the approval granted to the new vessel stands or requires reconsideration under the law.
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