Goal is to move ashore
A fleet of floating casinos off the Indian state of Goa have received the latest in an interminable line of extensions before they are required to move from their current location off the coast of Panaji, the capital city.
The Hindu reports that Goa Public Works Minister Sudin alias Ramkrisha Dhavalikar announced the extension on September 29, one day before the previous six-month extension was due to expire. The next six-month extension is in effect through March 30, 2019. The six casinos operate in the River Mandovi.
CalvinAyre.com called the latest reprieve “the day’s least surprising news.” The extensions have been repeatedly granted but never enforced over a number of years. The Goan government’s original plan was to shift the casino cruises to land-based operations by 2020, but Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar announced in August that the transfer would likely not occur until 2022.
The changeover from riverboat casinos to land-based operations would be expensive, it could be worth it over time. Analysts say shipboard casino operators could see their gross gaming revenues grow by as much as 25 percent once they are established on land.
Parrikar said the land-based licenses would be valid for a term of 10 to 15 years. Goan casinos are open to foreigners only.
