The Bombay High Court directed the Goa government to respond by Friday to a public interest litigation challenging a new 2,000-capacity offshore casino vessel's entry into the Mandovi river. A division bench questioned the substitution of a small 70-capacity boat with this much larger ship, raising concerns over navigation safety and river channel blockage. The matter returns to court on Monday, as the vessel heads toward Panaji with a deadline tied to seasonal rough waters.

Court Probes Vessel Size and Navigational Risks

Justices Valmiki Menezes and Amit Jamsandekar pressed government counsel on whether the 112-meter vessel could maneuver in the Mandovi during emergencies or obstruct the waterway. They distinguished simple replacements of equal-sized vessels from this scale-up, which they viewed as exceeding mere substitution. The bench also inquired about any length limits for vessels in the river, highlighting potential hazards in a busy inland channel used by ferries and fishing boats.

Government Defends NOC as Routine Replacement

Advocate General Devidas Pangam argued that a no-objection certificate issued before October 2022 followed a detailed study and permits only vessel replacement, not gambling operations under the Public Gambling Act. He clarified that the Captain of Ports handles entry and registration under the Inland Vessels Act, while the home department oversees licences. Pangam maintained these processes remain separate, avoiding any need for fresh approvals at this stage.

Casino Firm Insists Permissions Pre-Date Challenge

Delta Pleasures Cruise Co Pvt Ltd, represented by senior advocate Darius Khambata, noted approvals date back to 2022, with the PIL filed abruptly as the ship sails from Udupi. Khambata asserted no 90-meter length restriction exists; vessels up to 120 meters qualify, and this one will moor aside the navigable channel without impeding traffic. The firm stressed the vessel must arrive before mid-May to evade monsoon swells that render waters unnavigable.

Petitioners Highlight Missing Gambling Licence

Enough is Enough, through senior advocate S Muralidhar, contended the Mandovi prohibits such mooring entirely and spotlighted the Public Gambling Act as the core issue. Muralidhar argued no replacement occurs without a new licence for the enlarged gambling operation, questioning how the ship departed Udupi unlicensed. RTI disclosures revealed scant public information, prompting demands to halt or reverse the vessel's journey until compliance.

Broader Stakes for Goa's Offshore Casino Landscape

Goa's floating casinos anchor a contentious industry since liberalization two decades ago, drawing tourists but sparking debates over regulation, revenue, and riverine impacts. This case tests boundaries between administrative nods for vessel entry and gambling permissions, potentially reshaping oversight amid citizen pushback. A ruling could enforce stricter caps on vessel scale or mandate integrated licensing, influencing the sector's expansion in a state reliant on tourism amid environmental and safety concerns.