Casino Pride Goa Pics
Casino Pride 2 is one of the youngest and also one of the newest offshore casinos in Goa. Along with maintaining the original charm and retaining the thrill of the games and recreation that the Casino Pride Group of casinos has to offer, this one also brings along the newness and adds a dash of freshness to the regular games. Casino Pride Goa Pics, pain burger casino, dame de pique casino, club world online casino.
A floating casino off Panaji in Goa. Credit: Devika Sequeira
Panaji: Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar recently made an announcement in the state’s legislative assembly: all offshore casinos would have to shift to land-based operations within three years if they wanted to continue doing business in Goa. The decision, long expected despite the stock denials, is what the big players in the casino industry had been betting on all along, and it exposes the BJP’s doublespeak on the gambling business in Goa.
There are currently six offshore and ten land-based casinos in play here, but live gaming (with dealers opposed to slot machines), where the stakes can go really high, is permitted only on the floating casinos, which makes the transfer and renewal of their licences such a lucrative business.
Jaydev Mody’s Delta Corp Ltd is the biggest player in the Goa casino business. It runs three offshore casinos, Deltin Royale, Deltin Jaqk and Deltin Caravela as well as the onshore Deltin Suites Casino Hotel at Nerul. The Ashok Khetrapal fronted group is the next big casino operator with Casino Pride and Casino Pride 2 anchored in the Mandovi. Pride also runs the land-based Casino Paradise at Porvorim and Casino Palms at Baga.
Faced with mounting protests over the BJP government granting permission for a sixth offshore casino in the River Mandovi after the party had earlier campaigned against them, a providential occurrence spared Parrikar’s blushes in the monsoon session of the Goa assembly. On July 15, a new casino vessel M. V. Lucky Seven, fully outfitted to commence business as the Big Daddy Casino, drifted off course in stormy weather and ran aground at Miramar beach (near Panaji) where it is currently stuck, turning into a photo-op for tourists. Operations to refloat and tow it away are currently underway.
Lucky Seven is promoted by the controversial former Haryana minister Gopal Kanda. The Tanzanian flag passenger vessel was brought to Goa by Golden Globe Hotels Pvt Ltd (GGHPL), a company started as a subsidiary of Kanda’s defunct MDLR airline. There’s very little information to be found on GGHPL or its businesses, but sources in the company said that Kanda, his son and son-in-law hold a majority stake in it and in their current interest in the casino business in Goa.
Kanda’s foray into casinos here goes back to 2009 when he bought the Leela group’s Casino Rio for a reported amount of Rs 30 crore. Leela had managed an offshore gaming licence in 2006 but the business never set sail. Neither did it under Kanda, and in 2013 the government towed away the abandoned vessel for owing the authorities Rs 12 crore in casino licence fees. The fee with fines had mounted to Rs 50 crore by 2017. This in itself should have been grounds enough to not renew Kanda’s licence. But the Parrikar government renewed it all the same, using the ruse of a court order to justify the decision. In reality, however, it was the state’s advocate general who told the high court of Bombay at Goa that the government would “favourably consider” the Kanda company’s application for renewal.
All the casino licences in Goa – both off-shore and land based ones – were dished out by gung-ho Congress governments, with former chief minister Pratapsingh Rane and former home minister Ravi Naik being the key players in this high stakes game of licence roulette. This uncomfortable fact, as much as the Congress’ role in the mining scam, provided the BJP its biggest ammunition for the 2012 state assembly election which it won with a clear majority. Parrikar would turn up at anti-casino protests with RSS supporters, and doing away with casinos went to the top of his party’s 2012 manifesto, even as behind the scenes assurances were reportedly given that they would be allowed to carry on with business as usual.
Once in government though, the commitment by the BJP to move the casinos out of the Mandovi and regulate the trade was never seen through. The promise to set up a gaming commission has not seen the light of day even five years later. What the government did in effect, is facilitate more opaque operations, allowing the state’s Captain of Ports, rather than the Centre’s Director of Shipping – as was the case previously – to licence the casino vessels, most of which are not even seaworthy. In 2014, the BJP also reversed the law it had brought in to ban the transfer of casino licences when it allowed the Pride group to take over the V. M. Salgaocar & Bro Pvt Ltd owned Casino Carnival. The government collected a fee of Rs 5 crore for the transfer, and the deal went through for an unconfirmed amount of Rs 80 crore.
More recently, Parrikar has argued that casinos have brought jobs, revenue and also enhanced the state’s tourism industry. Doing away with them would hurt investor sentiment. Though he was “serious” in his “opposition to casinos”, it was the government’s duty “to ensure there is continuity in policies,” he told the Goa House. Parrikar bolstered his arguments with figures of revenue earned from casinos: a total of Rs 743 crore was collected over the last three years from commercial taxes and licence fees paid to the home department.
But how close is this to their actual takings?
Inconsistency and flip flops have been the hallmark of government policy on casinos in Goa. The intended confusion has not only encouraged, but practically endorsed an unregulated conduct of the business, and allows politicians to collect a “recurring monthly fee”, as a casino operator puts it. The government currently charges between Rs 10 crore to Rs 12 crore as a yearly fee for off-shore gaming, depending on the passenger capacity of the vessels. Land-based casinos pay Rs 4 crore a year. But industry observers say this is peanuts in the serious gambling business, given there’s no authority to monitor operations or even determine the number of footfalls.
On any given night, the streets of Panaji, near the city’s jetty, are packed with parked vehicles – a visible hindrance to those who live in the area. This no doubt is clear proof of how busy the casinos are. While the bigger vessels pack up to 1500 gambling enthusiasts a day in what’s become 24×7 operations, particularly over the weekends, the smaller vessels crowd in some 800-1000 passengers, says the source. The over-crowding has been overlooked for years.
The principle reason for bringing in floating casinos – the Congress had argued when it allowed the first one here in 2001 – was to keep the gambling off limits to locals. A kind of out-of-sight-out-of-mind policy. An attempt by the Parrikar government to ban the entry of locals in the casinos has never been seriously implemented either. In 2012, Parrikar had brought in major amendments to the Goa Public Gambling Act, 1976 to ban the transfer of casino licences – it was then revoked by his government in 2014). Only tourists with valid permits were to be allowed, not locals, but no such permits were ever issued, nor are IDs asked of anyone walking into a casino.
Under the BJP government, Delta Corp was also given a dedicated jetty for its offshore operations in Betim. Mody, who is a familiar figure in Goa, was among the front-benchers at the swearing in ceremony of the new government at Raj Bhavan in March this year, after the BJP’s controversial takeover of power. The Delta Corp chairman now also owns FC Goa, after he bought a 65% stake in the football team that was jointly held by Dattaraj Salgaocar and Srinivas Dempo.
All we’ve learnt so far from the chief minister’s assurances in the state assembly is that a “comprehensive policy” on casinos will be out within three months and that offshore casinos would be moved to a “designated entertainment zone” on land within three years. Sources in the industry said they’d been told they would have to put up high-end casino hotels at Mopa, North Goa, where Goa’s controversial new greenfield airport is to come up. The BJP and its recent ally Goa Forward – whose ambitious leader Vijai Sardesai has also done a U-turn on casinos – no doubt see the move as politically and economically advantageous. It would help them justify the construction of the new project as well as give the casino industry in Goa a permanent base. But will it go down well with the public?
20 Mind Blowing Places (With Photos) to Visit in North Goa In 2019
Good news for couples/friends/family who love to travel once or twice a year across India.
This year 2019 will be more memorable if you plan to visit in Goa. It will be more adventitious if you hire a self drive car or without driver car. Let’s save the places in mind to be covered in North Goa in just 15 minutes. From popular beaches to famous shacks, from awesome Goan cuisine to fashion street, North Goa has got a map of everything. Now move to famous places to visit in North Goa.
20 Mind Blowing Places to Visit in North Goa
From beaches, flea markets, clubs, café, churches to forts, here are all the awesome places to visit in the north side of Goa this year you are going to rock. Take a look:
- Candolim Beach
- Calangute Beach
- Anjuna Beach
- Fort Aguada
- The Church of Mae De Deus
- Chapora Fort
- Casino Pride
- Anjuna Market
- Anjuna Beach
- Mapusa Market
- Club Cabana
- SinQ Nightclub
- Aguada Beach
- Baga Beach
- Bom Jesus Basilica
- Sinquerim Beach
- Grand Island
- Chorao Island
- Dona Paula Beach
- Vagator Beach
- Candolim Beach
The charming Candolim Beach is particularly famous for diving, water sports and night life as you also know the famous festival in Goa “Sunburn”. Candolim Beach is one of the interesting places to see after the sunset. The nightlife combines with filmy party and entertainment.
- Calangute Beach
Calangute Beach is a perfect tourist place, filled with memento stalls, shacks and other stalls selling everything beer, trinkets, pawns, books etc. ‘The Enamour of Downtown Calangute” Holding the impressive beauty and attraction with all the dream nightlife of an ocean paradise, Calangute is your way to heaven.
Casino Pride Goa Pics Pictures
- Anjuna Beach
Anjuna beach Goa is an ultimate choice for nature buffs, who love to enjoy full moon parties during the New Year and Christmas. Travelers on this very day rejuvenate themselves in a pleasurable atmosphere of the lucent full-moon casting a magic charm and the soft frothing waves snuggling their feet.
- Fort Aguada
This fort was built in 1612 on Sinquerim beach in Goa. Aguada is a Portuguese word which means “Watering Place”. It is one of the largest forts in western India. It receives a lot of tourists all around the year for its jail and lighthouse.
Timing:
All days of the week
9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- The Church of Mae De Deus
Situated in Saligao, Bardez, Mae De Deus Church (or Mother of God Church) is a Gothic style church in North Goa. According to residents, the beautiful wooden statue of Mae De Deus, painted in golden color and was taken royally in a decorated boat across the Mandovi River to Betim.
Best Timing:
Weekdays
7.00 a.m.
8.00 a.m.
Sunday
7.00 a.m.
8.30 a.m.
9.00 a.m.
- Chapora Fort
Image Source: Girish Palkar Photography
This fort underwent a refurbishment in the hands of the Portuguese during the seventeenth century. This fort is also known as “Dil Chahta Hai” fort. Best time to visit Chapora Fort is evening time because sunset sky looks impressive from here.
Best Timing:
Any day
3.00 p.m to 5.30 p.m
- Casino Pride
Casino Pride is a best premium floating casino in Goa. Only 18+ yrs age of people can visit this ship. Casino Pride on Mandovi River overlooking the capital city Panjim, it’s a luxurious place where the famous Goan nightlife finds an exciting expression in terms of class and style.
Best Timing:
Any day
- 9.30 p.m to 11.30 p.m
- Anjuna Market
The Flea Market of Anjuna beach makes it the most phenomenon place in Goa. The teenagers and unkempt hippies are generally seen in Anjuna Market. The market is on every Wednesday, it’s very big mixed with Indian and western stalls. The markets of this beach are filled with Kashmiri stalls, coffee shops, tattoo parlor, Western Jewellery, haircutting shops, Orchard stores, Oxford Stores and many stalls.
- Anjuna Beach
It’s knows as beach of hippies. Anjuna Beach is an ultimate destination which has seen Hippie culture and whose flea market still stands the number one position! The most famous beach amongst foreigners; this sea–side is well-known amongst back-packers, hippies, and the ones who are looking for cheap stays or shacks
- Mapusa Market
Mapusa market has always been one of the mandate place to visit for trading and shopping in Goa from the olden times. You know what does the mean of Mapusa, “map” (meaning to measure) and “sa” (meaning to fill up) are joined to form the word Mapusa. It is an exciting and active market that is open from 9 a.m till 6.30 – 7.00pm, Monday to Saturday. In Mapusa Market, you will find antiques and Goan pottery to handicrafts, textiles, clothing, spices, fruits, vegetables, meats, jewellery. Bargaining is recommended, and is a good place to test your bargaining skills.
- Club Cabana
Club Cabana is known as the Night Club in the Sky, it’s a favorite among all the enthusiastic party-goers in Goa. Offering a quite affordable cover charge for couples and free entry for women, this place is always energetic with great music and dancing crowds.
Another special offer at Club Cabana happens on only Friday when anyone wearing a bikini can get in for free and enjoy drinks on the house.
Timing:
9:30 PM – 4:00 AM
Casino Pride Goa Pics Images
- SinQ Night Club
SinQ is the type of nightclub where you’d want to start and end your trip. A chic night club and lounge with an outdoor bar, private poolside and DJs, SinQ possesses pretty laidback ambiance with the warm simple decor and the ambience. And when the sun sets, the place transforms into a party mansion.
- Aguada Beach
Tourist flocks to capture the wonderful view that it offers of the sea and the beach. Goa Aguada beach is made special by the Fort Aguada. Apart from the fort, there is several attention-grabbing sightseeing like churches in Aguada that are worth a visit.
- Baga Beach
Casino Pride Goa Pics Gallery
Baga Beach is situated in North Goa, 9 kilometers (6 miles) from Mapusa and 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Panaji. Waters ports are a main attraction. You can try parasailing, wake boarding, windsurfing, kite surfing, dolphin rides, banana rides or take a ride on a jet ski. You can go for the most relaxing ayurvedic messages out there.
- Bom Jesus Basilica
Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa is one such impressive church that has its mark in the history of Christianity in India. It’s a 400 Year Old Church. It holds the tomb and mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, whose body was brought from China to the church after two years of his death.
- Sinquerim Beach
Sinquerim situated 13 km from Panaji is one of the best beaches in North Goa where one can enjoy water-skiing, para-sailing, fishing, scuba diving and windsurfing. The beach at Sinquerim lies closest to the Aguada beach. Close to the beach one can see the famous historical fort Aguada.
- Grand Island
Grand Island is also usually known as Monkey Beach. The best journey of this island is early in the morning when the sun is not that harsh. Activities: Dolphin Boat Safari, Scuba Diving, Island Boat Trip with Snorkeling. The journey to the Island trip will always remain in your heart as short time spend on the Arabian Sea are engrossing and amazing.
- Chorao Island
Casino Pride Goa Pics Online
Chorao Island is the largest island among other 17 islands of Goa. The Island is beautiful because of its amazing flora and fauna. The area of this National Park is inhabited by local birds of over 400 species. The Island also preserves the traces of a very interesting ancient history, Indian Brahmin and Portuguese colonizers.
- Dona Paula Beach
If you watched “Singham” movie, you can recognize the spot. Situated on the suburbs of Panaji, Dona Paula is a popular tourist place in Goa. The Dona Paula Sports Club offers water-scooter, cycle, and motorboat rides. Other water sports include windsurfing, harpoon fishing, water-skiing, skibob, sports fishing, snorkeling, toboggan ski-biscuit, para-sailing, kayaking, and yachting.
- Vagator Beach
Vagator beach is one of the most attractive beaches in Goa that is enclosed with white sand and speckled by huge black rocks, coconut trees & palm trees. This beach is divided into two beaches , Big Vagator and Small Vagator. This beach brings ample of adventure activities like parasailing, jets ski’s motored rides and dolphin sighting tours.