Mohandas Pai supports casinos; advocates Singapore model

Former Infosys director and member of Goa’s IT Advisory Committee, T.V. Mohandas Pai supported casinos in Goa and suggested that they are important contributors to the government exchequer that enables the completion of various🧸 infrastructure ♍projects in the state.

Pai, a veteran i🌳nvestor, activist and philanthropist, was in Goa on a short visit and m𓂃ade the remarks .

Pai made the comments on the ca🌳sino industry in response to a question about the challenges faced by the state of Goa. He stated that some people are opposing casinos and beach resorts but that may not be a correct approach.

He further added that the Singapore model of regulating c🐲asinos should be followed, wherein casinos𝐆 should be permitted but a high entry fee should be levied on locals who wish to play in casinos.

The Si𓃲ngapore government levies an entry fee of around US$ 75 per day or US$ 1500 per year on locals who wish to play in casinos. Pai suggested a similar model in Goa to allay concerns about the social impact on locals due to the casino industry.

In the past, several social organisations and political parties have opposed offshore casinos in the state of Goa. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has however suggested shifting the offshore casiﷺnos, currently situated in the River ♉Mandovi to an entertainment zon𒈔e on land.