World

Ways in Which Land-Based Casinos Fuel Problem Gambling Behavior and the Ways to Beat It

Published

5 years ago

April 7, 2020

When we talk about gambling, the very first thing that comes to our mind is the utter annihilation that this sphere reeks of. We have grown up in a society that taught us how indulging in various forms of gambling only spells disaster. Little did we learn about the contribution that this domain has to make in uplifting a region’s economy. Gambling, for most of us, only meant gloom and doom, and this is obviously a myth that needs to be busted. There is no harm in indulging in some safe forms of gambling. It only becomes a concern when the habit spirals out of control and gives rise to compulsive gambling. It is essential, thus, to understand the root of the problem if one is to address the problem and control the problem gambling behavior. We shall first try to understand how land-based casinos fuel problem gambling and then move on to addressing the issue at large. This shall make it easy to come up with well-structured solutions to beat the problem.

Ways in Which Casinos Enable Compulsive Gambling:

All the schemes and rewards programs that you find casinos offering to you, are nothing but siren calls that draws several people to the industry. Yes, the casino is a multi-million dollar industry, and they feed on the emotional vulnerabilities of human beings. It is not always possible to ignore the lure of the casinos with their dazzling architecture and array of games that promise handsome wins by the hour. However, as much as one would like to treat these games as ways to beat stress and find some entertainment, they also have the potential to serve as rat-traps if you are not careful about your behavior. It is way too easy to lose control and therefore, it is essential that you nip the evil while it is still in the bud.

Casinos happen to offer services like free parking areas, complimentary drinks and hotel room reservations that draw thousands and thousands of people every day to the casino floors. These are plain tactics that offer them a dramatically high return on their investment. And though, ostensibly it might seem like an opportunity that must not go amiss, these very tricks can later cause harm in your life and turn you into a compulsive gambler, because you would find yourself frequenting the casino houses every now and then.

However, fortunately, there are ways in which you can beat your problem gambling behavior once you locate the issue in its early stages. It is never too late to fight your way through a problem. You only need to devise the right methods to control the problem and then gradually move on to eradicating it.

Ways to Beat Problem Gambling:

We have brought together a few points that can help you beat your compulsive gambling behavior and break the habit at once. However, it is essential that you understand that if the problem happens to run too deep, you might have to seek help and asylum in a rehabilitation center. There is no shame in asking for help, and you must reach out to professionals to fight the problem.

Address the Issue-

The first thing that you need to do to be able to fight the situation is to acknowledge that you have an issue. You cannot keep escaping the problem if you need to solve it. Confront the problem head-on, and you will see that it shall become easier to deal with the issue.

Do Not Frequent the Land-Based Casinos-

This might seem a bit challenging for you but do not give in to your temptation of frequenting the casinos. Things will not come under control if you continue going to the casinos and spend time playing the games. You need to take one step at a time and find alternatives to land-based casinos. Perhaps, switching to a trustworthy and authentic online casino like www.usgamblingsites.com could just do the trick. But, you need to manage the amount of time you spend playing the games online, lest it shall serve no purpose.

Reach Out for Professional Help-

It is essential to understand that reaching out to professionals to get your compulsive gambling habit in check is as important as treating yourself to recovery when you find yourself in ill-health. Problem gambling has ruined several lives, and thus, you must be able to take the necessary actions while there is still time. Do not hesitate to visit a professional yourself or check on a friend who needs their help. Problem gambling can be managed if you are smart enough to act on time.

Conclusion:

Land-based casinos are amazing places to visit on the weekends or when you are on a trip to some country to spend your vacation. But they are also money-minting machines and know exactly which emotional strain of humans to feed on to fleece their customers. While some people are wise enough to be able to stay away from the temptation, some give in too quickly and thus, become victims of problem gambling. Keep the points that we discussed in the article on your mind if you are to beat the issue and seek professional help before it causes you more harm. With this and a bit of will-power, you can rise above the problem and break the vicious habit for good.

World

Criminal probe focussed on Mehtas shipping business

Published

2 weeks ago

August 6, 2025

Jonathan Grilli

From Monitoring Desk

DUBAI: An Asian family linked with the shipping business is facing criminal investigation in several jurisdictions including in Dubai and Far East where the family’s companies are under active investigation now, according to the authorities in three countries.

Sanjay and Gaurav Mehta, through their companies Best Oasis Ltd in Dubai and Priya Blue Industries in Gujarat, are facing investigations over money-laundering suspicions and suspected links to the Russian oil sector, sanctioned by the western countries, sources shared.

Sanjay and Gaurav Mehta, through their companies Best Oasis Ltd in Dubai and Priya Blue Industries in Gujarat have projected an image of environmental responsibility in ship recycling. They have tout certifications, attend global summits, and positioned themselves as ESG-compliant but their business practices have come under intense probe now. Their operations reportedly involve dismantling high-risk ships, using cash transactions, and leveraging political connections to avoid accountability, a source shared looking into the companies’ affairs. The investigation is being conducted in Dubai and the Far East.

The investigators are looking at the Mehtas operations dating back to 2006 when they came to attention of the law enforcement for the first time. Priya Blue dismantled the “Blue Lady” in 2006, a vessel containing over 1,200 tons of asbestos and radioactive waste, despite protests and objections from Greenpeace. Later, the “Exxon Valdez,” notorious for a major oil spill, was renamed “Oriental Nicety” and dismantled by the Mehtas in Gujarat, drawing international attention. In recent years, their transactions have become less conspicuous but reportedly more hazardous.

In 2025, Best Oasis allegedly acquired and dismantled at least four vessels linked to sanctioned entities, including Iranian and Houthi-controlled networks. These weren’t obscure ships; they were designated under U.S. terrorism sanctions for their involvement in oil smuggling and arms transport. According to investigators, here are the details of the sanctioned ships dismantled by Best Oasis in 2025: IMO: 9155808, Name: NOLAN (SOLAN), Sanction: SDN (SDGT), Beaching: 31 Jan 2025, Plot 16; IMO: 9221657, Name: BLUEFINS, Sanction: SDN (SDGT); Beaching: 26 Feb 2025, Plot 16; IMO: 9105085, Name: CONTRACT II, Sanction: SDN risk, Beaching: Arrived mid-2025, Plot 27; IMO: 9209300, Name: GAMA II, Sanction: SDN (SDGT); and Beaching: Pending/Planned, Plot 34

All four vessels were reportedly dismantled in Alang on plots leased by proxy firms connected to the Mehtas. These short-term leases, approved on a ship-by-ship basis by the Gujarat Maritime Board, reportedly make regulatory oversight nearly impossible. Once dismantling is complete, plot registrations often lapse, leaving no long-term record, according to documents shared by the investigators in Dubai.

Rahul Mistry, a shipping compliance researcher, noted this as a growing pattern: “This is a pattern we’ve seen more frequently in the last two years sanctioned hulls arriving under the radar, processed fast, with no digital trace.”

Payments for these vessels reportedly bypassed normal financial channels. According to sources familiar with the deals, transactions were settled in cash, either on-site or through offshore handlers. One source described entire ship values being paid in foreign currency bundles, avoiding Indian and Dubai banking disclosures, said one of the investigators familiar with the matter.

A retired port official Mr. Akin Yadav, familiar with Alang and Gujarat Maritime Board approvals stated that short-term leases are routinely used to avoid scrutiny, adding, “It was never meant to be a permanent workaround. But it’s become one.”

Political connections also reportedly play a role. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Gujarat State Minister Jitu Vaghani have been linked to approvals granted for Best Oasis and its proxies. While there’s no direct evidence of personal gain, sources allege that both men used their influence to expedite approvals, slow down inquiries, and shield the companies from enforcement.

Despite these activities in India, Best Oasis is expanding under new branding. A recent joint venture in Japan with Hiroshi Abe is being marketed as a clean, regionally responsible recycling partner for Japanese shipowners.

Mariko Fujita, a Tokyo-based maritime consultant, observed, “They’re presenting themselves as a new entity with no reference to past controversies. But none of the underlying ownership or structure has changed.”

In Alang, the situation reportedly remains much the same. Plot numbers are reassigned, cash continues to circulate and the same network of breakers and handlers is reportedly involved. Individuals like Jayant Vanani (also known as Budhabhai Patel) and Ramesh Mendapara are frequently named in connection with specific beachings, including “Contract II” and “GAMA II.” Both have been previously linked to other shadow transactions involving distressed or sanctioned tonnage.

Several yards allegedly connected to Best Oasis, including Shantamani Ship Breakers and Sai Baba Ship Breakers, reportedly operate with minimal inspection, despite numerous reports of irregularities in worker safety, hazardous waste disposal, and compliance with Indian scrapping codes.

This system, according to multiple sources, appears to be intentionally designed to operate in plain sight with just enough paperwork to pass basic scrutiny but not enough to trigger meaningful enforcement. There is no indication that regulatory bodies including customs, port health officers, or environmental oversight panels have conducted full inspections of any of the sanctioned vessels listed. Most were reportedly cleared and dismantled within days of arrival.

Rahul Mistry said: “This isn’t merely a loophole; it’s reportedly a business model. Best Oasis and Priya Blue are allegedly running a high-volume, low-visibility operation that filters sanctioned, end-of-life ships through legal instruments to appear legitimate on paper. This reportedly involves routing untaxed funds and shielded actors through a well-connected political and industrial network. As global scrutiny of ESG practices intensifies, many of these activities are allegedly being whitewashed through new partnerships and branding, but the underlying mechanisms reportedly remain unchanged.”