Chris Fernandes
The recent fatal assault at a casino in Goa is a chilling reminder that the state’s tourism model is at a crossroads. As violent incidents rise and gambling addiction quietly spreads, it’s imperative that Goa brings in global expertise before it descends into the same fate as Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, and Laukkaing in Myanmar—regions where poorly regulated gambling has fuelled organized crime, human trafficking, and lawlessness.
One of the most respected names in the field, Spectrum Gaming Group, has advised top-tier gambling destinations around the world. If Goa is serious about reforming its casino industry and restoring its image as a clean, safe, and premium tourist destination, consulting a firm of Spectrum’s caliber is no longer optional—it’s urgent.
Last year, the situation hit close to home when a toddy tapper from Benaulim, along with a college student, turned to crime to fund their gambling habits. This is no longer a fringe problem—it’s a social time bomb.
International examples offer compelling guidance. In the UK, a regional gambling regulator ordered casinos to shut between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. following data that showed most violent crimes occurred during these hours. Australia, too, took similar steps, as studies showed problem gambling peaks late at night.
These aren’t just statistics—they are actionable insights. As a concerned citizen, I’ve only scratched the surface. Global experts have decades of experience in setting up and regulating gambling venues. They know what works, what fails, and how to build systems that protect both economies and communities.
Thailand has now resolved to follow Singapore’s gold-standard model of gambling regulation—one of the most successful in the world. Goa, which once attracted high-end, responsible tourism, must aim no lower.
The time has come to reclaim Goa’s future. Gambling may be here to stay, but it must be sanitized, regulated, and managed by the best minds in the business. Stakeholders—from the TTAG president to shack owners, and every concerned Goan in between—should watch the YouTube documentary “Clean, Green and Unseen: How Singapore Sanitized Gambling.”
This is especially critical as both the U.S. State Department (Trafficking in Persons Division) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have repeatedly warned that casino complexes in some ASEAN countries double as hubs for billion-dollar human trafficking syndicates.
We owe it to our people, our heritage, and future generations to turn the tide—to reverse this curse—before Goa’s identity is lost to a spiral of unchecked vice.
