Goa is a small state of India located on the west coast of the continent. Its main industry is tourism and tourists flock to the 77 miles of beaches. Goa also has six offshore casinos, five of which are operating with no licenses and are in danger of being shut down. The one casino that has the license will expire in October.
These casinos are on ships moored on the river Mondovi and have been doing business without much trouble. In the state budget recently approved the state announced a 10 fold increase in casino entry fees to Rs 2000 per person. Casino operators are now in a legal battle because the government wants to move the casino ships deeper out to sea.
The government has been lenient with the casinos and the locals have been insistent that something be done about the non licensed casinos. They are concerned about the cultural affect of the casinos on tourism and on the local populations. These casinos should have No objection certificates in order to be in operation and for five of the casinos, they have expired a long time ago. MV Caravela, MV Pride of Goa, MV Casino Royale, the Leela, and MC San Domino all had their NOC’s expire early in 2009. There is another casino that has a NOC that is about to expire.
The cabinet had decided to send the offshore casinos to Aguada bay but it was stated that they may cause navigational problems with barges moving through the area.
On September 9th, the casinos in Goa including 12 land casinos protested by shutting their door to protest the government imposed hike in fees. After these fees were imposed operators say business went down as much as 90%. They accuse the government in trying to drive away the casino industry which does contribute to the state economy. The casinos employ around 2000 people and provide indirect employment for 10000 other residents. Since gambling is illegal in all other places in India it does attract around 2 million tourists from India and other countries every year. Casino workers descended upon the city and gave a memorandum to the chief Minister’s and Home Minster’s office. The protest lasted only one day.
In 2008, the government wanted to increase the number of offshore casino licenses to boost the economy but ran in to opposition from moral groups including the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata party. Now it is expected that many people will lose their jobs at the casino because of the reduced business because of the higher admission rates into the casino. Entrance fees when from 200 rupees to 2000 rupees, an increase that was hard for patrons to stomach.
A Casino Association was formed which represent the 6 boats and 12 land operations at Goan resorts. This strong representation may be able to protest the operation at the Goan resorts. It should be interesting to see what happens in the gaming field.
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