Casinos in the Indian state of Goa have contribute total tax revenues of 1,277.29 crore, about US$175 million, over the past nine years, according to Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Sawant revealed 785.5 crore (US$108 million) came from offshore casinos and 491.8 crore ($67.5 million) from onshore casinos.
Inside Asian Gaming reports that the industry’s long-term future is uncertain with a new rule, effective this month that prohibits local from entering Goa’s casino floors. The move was designed to “placate opponents of the local gaming industry,” IAG reported.
“I had assured on the floor of the House during the last Assembly session (August 2019) that Goans would be banned from entering casinos,” Sawant was quoted as saying. “We are going to implement the assurance from February 1.”
Over the years, there have been many pledges by the state government to relocate Goa’s six offshore casinos from the Mandovi River to a permanent land-based locale, but such efforts have been unsuccessful.
