Staff members of Casino Pride, a prominent gambling ship in Goa, reportedly attacked and obstructed officials from India’s Directorate of Enforcement (ED) during a money laundering investigation, according to Gambling News. The incident occurred when ED officials conducted a search operation as part of an ongoing probe into financial crimes.
The raid began without disrupting the casino’s operations, with ED officials seizing electronic devices, documents, and cash believed to be linked to illegal activities. However, the situation escalated when Casino Pride’s management allegedly confronted the officials, questioning the legality of the search.
The staff reportedly refused to recognize the ED’s official documentation and accused the officials of conducting an unauthorized raid. Tensions peaked when the casino staff forcibly removed the officials from the search area, detained them in a separate room onboard the ship, and demanded they delete evidence collected during the operation.
According to ED Assistant Director Poluri Chenna Kesava Rao, the casino staff:
• Assaulted and detained public servants during the raid.
• Destroyed evidence, including confiscated documents and electronic data.
• Seized ₹4.3 lakh in cash identified as potential proceeds of crime.
• Confiscated mobile devices from the officials.
• Threatened violence if demands were not met.
Rao described the staff’s actions as a severe obstruction of justice, stating that they “behaved inhumanely, threatened officers with violence, and destroyed critical evidence.”
The ED has filed a complaint against Casino Pride’s staff and management, citing offenses such as:
• Assaulting public servants.
• False imprisonment.
• Destruction of evidence.
The Panaji police have launched an official investigation into the matter. If found guilty, those involved could face significant legal consequences, including several years of imprisonment.
The raid was part of broader efforts by Indian authorities to crack down on illegal gambling and related crimes, including money laundering. This incident underscores the challenges faced by enforcement agencies in regulating the gaming sector and ensuring compliance with the law.
The case also highlights the need for stricter oversight and cooperation between authorities and gaming establishments to prevent such confrontations in the future.
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