Mohandas Pai supports casinos; advocates Singapore model

Former Infosys directo🐻r and member of Goa’s IT Advisory Committee, T.V. Mohandas𝐆 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 investor, activist and philanthropist, was in Goa on a shor🔯🍃t visit and made the remarks .

Pai made the comments on the casino industry in response to a question about the challenges faced by the state of Goa. He stated t🐻hat 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 casinos should be followed, wherein 💞casinos should be permitted but a high entry fee should be levied on locals who wish to play in casinos.

The Singapore government levies an entry fee of around US$ 75 per day or US$ 1500 per🅺 year on locals who wish to play in c🐭asinos. 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 Manoღhar Parrikar has however suggested shifting the offshore casinos, cꦑurrently situated in the River Mandovi to an en🦹tertainment zone on land.