On 28th May, there was an extreme surge in the posts on X (formerly Twitter) related to the Goa Casino matter with the hashtag # GoaCasinoExpose.

For the past few months, especially since February, locals have observed cranes, barges, and anchoring work near the Mandovi River, and ever since then, there has been a hue and cry about the possible expansion of casino operations in the river, whether the Casino Vessel should be allowed in the Mandovi River, which many locals believe is already congested.

The casino debate in Goa has existed for years, but the locals have always protested against its upscaling due to reasons that it favours outsiders more than Goans, and that it also encourages gambling addiction.

Very recently, on 6th May, even the Bombay High Court has barred the mega Casino ship, an 112-meter vessel by Deltin, from entering the Mandovi River in response to the PIL filed by locals who believe that it will not only damage the ecology but also the livelihoods of the fishermen.

The group of Libia Lobo Sardesai (Goan Freedom Fighter), Uday Bhembre, and social activists Sudeep Tamankar and Harish Madkaikar had filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court under the movement named as ‘Enough Is Enough’ strongly opposing a bigger vessel for Casino operations.

How big is the Deltin Vessel?

Quite big! It is 112 m long and 28 m wide and can accommodate a whopping 2000 passengers at once. The old vessel, which was about to be replaced by it, was quite small and could accommodate only 70 passengers.

So why is GoaCasinoExpose is Trending Today on 28th May 2026?

Whether the matter is trending due to a social media campaign or organically cannot be confirmed by us. The next hearing of the matter is on the 6th of July 2026.

Many netizens are strongly opposing the entrance of a new, bigger vessel, citing that it will severely affect the livelihood of fishermen and that the city’s identity is mainly because of its beauty and traditions.