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 infrastructuꦍre projects in the state.

Pai, a veteran investor, activist and philanthropist, was in Goa on a short v🎐isit and made the remark𓄧s .

Pai made the comments on🍃 the casino 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 mo𓆏del of regulating casinos should be fol🌟lowed, 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 peꦉr 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 ꧑Minister Manohar Parr෴ikar has however suggested shifting the offshore casinos, currently situated in the River Mandovi to an entertainment zone o🤡n land.