Panaji, Sep 25 (IANS): Even as the Goa government has been debating relocation of five offshore casinos, parked in the Mandovi river off Panaji, the state cabinet here on Wednesday granted them six-month extension to stay put.

"The Council of Ministers resolved to grant extension of time limit to the offshore casino-licencees for relocating casinos from the Mandovi river for six months from October 1 to March 31 or till an alternate feasible site is finalised, whichever is earlier," a government spokesperson said.

The state has five offshore casinos anchored in the Mandovi river and nine others at the five-star hotels.

Successive state governments have been under pressure to relocate the casinos due to demand from the opposition as well as civil society groups.

In the run-up to the Panaji by-election in May, Congress candidate Atanasio Monserrate, who joined the BJP after winning the vote, promised to shift out casinos within 100 days of being elected.