The Bombay High Court in Goa has called upon the state government to respond to a petition from local residents opposing a new 2,000-capacity casino boat on the River Mandovi. The petitioners argue that the new vessel, measuring 112 meters long and 28 meters wide, poses significant navigational hazards and social issues, especially given its capacity to accommodate more guests than all existing casino vessels combined. Currently, Goa has six offshore casino vessels operating on the river, contributing approximately ₹812.68 crore (roughly $98 million USD) annually to the state’s revenue through various fees and taxes. The petitioners claim that the Goa government cannot legally replace the existing 70-capacity vessel without proper licensing, as stipulated by the Goa Gambling Act. In response, Delta Pleasure Cruise Company, which holds the berth permission, argues that the approval was granted following due process and that the petition is belated. The state government is expected to file its response by Friday.