Licences of 5 out of 6 offshore casinos operating on the River Mandovi have expired.

The Tourism Minister, Mr Francisco Xavier Pacheco on Monday assured the House that the government would immediately seal all the offshore casinos anchored in the River Mandovi, whose licence period has expired, thus stopping every activity taking place on these floating gambling houses. 

Presently, the licence period of five out of six such offshore casinos has expired. M V Arabian Sea King is the lone offshore casino, whose licence is valid till October 30, 2009.

The Tourism Minister informed the House that licence of M V Goa Pride expired on April 3, earlier this year, while those of M V Leela, M V Casino Royale, M V San Domino and M V Caravela expired on January 30, 2009, February 18, 2009, May 19, 2009 and April 18, 2009, respectively. The Captain of Ports had issued these licences, he added.

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