NRI proposes “replica of Sentosa”
Will an island in India’s Krishna River host a future gaming resort? The Hindu reports that a U.S. non-resident Indian from Vijayawada has proposed a casino off the coast of Andhra Pradesh on the country’s southeastern coast. If approved, the state would join three others in the country—Goa, Daman and Sikkim—that offer gaming.
NRI Siva Prakash Bobba said, “I find one of the islands in the River Krishna very much suitable for setting up a casino. I’m planning to propose it to the government. The plan is also in tune with the government’s grand design of creating a replica of Sentosa amusement park of Singapore here.”
Bhavani Island near Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada has numerous sub-islands and a total land mass exceeding 130 acres. The Andhra Pradesh government already has plans to develop an amusement park modeled after one on Sentosa Island in Singapore, which also hosts a Resorts World casino.
Six other proposals have also been submitted to the government, according to Chief Consultant and Director K. Lakshminarayana of the Andhra Pradesh Project Facilitators and Consultancy Services Ltd.
“Some people have proposed to set up casinos but the government has not yet taken any decision,” he noted. “Getting permission for a casino is difficult as we need to get a regulatory nod from the center and the navy. So far, nothing has moved on these.”
In order to move ahead with casinos, the state would first have to amend the Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act of 1974, which prohibits gambling.
There are other obstacles in the path. Casinos may not blend well with the culture of Vijayawada, says management consultant MC. Das, who added, “There are several other priorities, such as underground drainage which is not yet completed.”
