Google Maps saves Goa’s offshore casinos from liquor sale ban: report

Casino vessels in Goa have been exempted from the Supreme Court’s recent ban on liquor sales, and they have Google Maps to thank for it.

The Supreme Court recently ordered the ban of liquor sale within 500 meters of national and state highways. Casinos operating on the Mandovi River, however, are reportedly not within the minimum distance set by the court, which means it will be business as usual for the offshore vessels.

“If any casino vessel is within 500 meters of the bridge we will not renew their license. But as per Google Maps, they are 800 meters away from the bridge on national highway,” Menino D’Souza, commissioner of Goa’s Excise Department, told the Press Trust of India.

The excise department, which currently mapping the liquor outlets along the state highways, said those who fall under the court directives will not have their licenses renewed after March 31.