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A LETTER TO MR TENTIWAL
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A LETTER TO MR TENTIWAL

Uncategorized November 14, 2025 , by

Dear Mr Tentiwal,
Your email address and designation were publicly listed, so I must take the opportunity to congratulate the Enforcement Directorate and make a critical request, on behalf of Goa’s future generations.
A week ago, the FATF heaped praise on the ED’s effectiveness, especially on the ED’s effectiveness, especially in asset recovery. The examples listed were stellar, but I feel my country is giving Goa step-motherly treatment. We’re the fourth largest economy, yet Goa’s gambling commission has the same nominal safeguards of Laos, Cambodia and worse still, Laukkaing.
Sir, I have spent all my life near the portion of the Mandovi now colonized by the six casino ships. I was a teenager when gambling was legalized here two decades ago, and blissfully unaware of the harm this sin industry would have on our youth – who are already hobbled by state-sponsored alcoholism and drug addiction.
After the notorious 100 kilo ketamine seizure at Pissurlem – where the DRI successfully cracked an international drug manufacturing and trafficking ring – I realized that political parties cannot be trusted. I figure civilian oversight is key, and have been doing my part, researching – and archiving – articles on casinos every day for years. As a son of Panjim, I don’t want to sit back and watch my genteel city become a den of lawlessness. This was the mistake the villagers in Goa’s coastal belt made in the 60s, when welcoming hippies gave rise to Goa’s notoriety as a narco-tourism destination.
We all see the toll this form of tourism has taken on the northern coastal belt. My research on casinos reveals that legalized gambling has horrendous drawbacks – car bombings, turf wars between rival drug lords and public executions with automatic assault weapons (Las Vegas, Macau, Northern Cypruys).
I diligently followed the news when Thailand’s now ousted prime minister attempted to legalize gambling. I saw how major America gaming corporations jumped at the chance to set up franchises there – predicated on the promise of robust regulatory safeguards.
I read how Thailand’s youth and intelligentsia collectively opposed the move, citing government corruption and past scandals involving political families. I watched and archived a discussion hosted by Spectrum Gaming – the international consultant that currently manages Singapore’s gambling authority and their Home Ministry too. I studied the article on Singapore’s journey from gambling opponent to the world’s third largest gambling hub. It was authored by the lawyer at the helm of Singapore’s groundbreaking legal action. Goa and India did none of the legwork Singapore did.
Thailand’s legalization debate has both lessons and a lifeline for Goa. Surely you’re aware of the underground banking system operated by transnational organized crime syndicates, and how they rely on unregulated legal casinos.
I was distraught after watching a video on the Financia Times official YouTube channel. In it, officers from the US DEA, Italy’s anti-mafia team and other international law enforcement agencies all warned that money laundering is now so advanced and profitable that it is nearly impossible to track.
They concurred that poorly regulated legal casinos are the weak link.
In the last 60 days, casinos owned by politically exposed persons were raided by your office. A wanted criminal affiliated to terrorist Dawood Ibrahim was arrested at an unnamed resort in Anjuna. His missus and he were trafficking mephedrone, it wasn’t mentioned if the resort had a casino too – a drug dealer/terrorism financier’s secret weapon.
A few days ago, another Indian MLA was arrested. He had rinsed proceeds of crime through Goa’s real estate –most probably facilitated by a casino too.
Although an amateur, I am convinced Goa is susceptible to both the Vancouver and the Northern Cyprus money laundering models.
The latest news that a sitting Goan cabinet minister was named in a multi-crore employment scam is worrisome? Goa has the highest unemployment rate in the country, and yet our elected representatives are actively profiteering on employment. Such treachery is indicative of foreign influence in governance. The late great Lee Kwan Yew once spoke about how the Triads are notorious for rigging elections. Goans have been mute witnesses to this crime in the last two state elections.
Sir, Goa is a part of India too. I congratulate your Department for the FATF laurels, but I cannot understand why India isn’t one of Spectrum’s clients. I had emailed the external affairs minister and local MPs with this request too but haven’t received confirmation of receipt or response from anyone. I know that your office notes all correspondence, and I pray that you will do the needful ASAP. Goa’s unwanted casinos should not be culpable for Pakistan’s terrorism financing, I am convinced our creator would punish us severely for this crime of commission.
— Chris Fernandes, Miramar, Panjim, Goa

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