Another reprieve for Mandovi River casinos
Indian casino operators who petitioned a spike in gaming-related fees for offshore and onshore gaming halls have agreed to pay the higher rates. They previously said they could be forced to shut down if the increases went into effect, and two casinos, Crown and Carnival made good on their threat to close in April.
According to Asia Gaming Brief, the increased fees are nearly 2.5 to 4.5 times higher and have sparked legal actions and protests from Goan casino operators. In April, the government rejected a petition to lower the fee or grant interim relief while a decision was pending.
Local media report that five offshore casinos and six of 11 onshore casinos have paid the revised fees, which come to about Rs 200 crores (US$29.9 million). The government is expecting another Rs 100-150 crore from the others.
