Almost a week after the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) issued closure notifications to four floating casinos for breaching the Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, the district government sealed operation of three casinos plying in the Mandovi River.

The administration took around a week’s time to act on the GSPCB warnings after the board notices on March 18.

But, the officials sealed three casinos including Casino Rio, Caravela and Maharaja as they failed to get its approval under rule 5 (1) of the Hazardous Waste Rules.

At around 11 am, Tiswadi mamlatdar Paresh Fal Dessai and Bardez mamlatdar Gourish Kurtikar together with officials from the captain of ports sealed the entries and exits of three casinos.

The fourth floating casino, Pride of Goa, was not sealed as it managed to get the necessary permission within three days.

The pollution control board issued notifications after Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar began a campaign against the off shore casinos for harsh illegalities.

Parikar said that the vessels were discharging sewage in Mandovi river.