Coastal towns in India may host casinos soon

If the proposal thrives, domestic and foreign tourist visiting Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada districts may soon experience the luxury of casinos.

India.- The proposal is being pushed by the tourism department to promote offshore casinos and cruises, stating that it will boost tourism and allow government to earn revenue and generate more jobs. The department suggested the state to allow offshore casinos that could operate from a yatch off the coast, where entry is restricted to foreign tourists.

If the proposal gets through, the India government will consider similar casinos in Belekeri, Malpe, Tadri and other beaches and it will allow entry to Indians. RV Deshpande, Industries minister, came up with the proposal and he said that a plan to start casinos in Karwar will be placed before the cabinet.

Tourism minister Priyank M. Kharge wasn’t so sure about the proposal: “Two agencies have come forward to run offshore casinos on the lines of those in Goa, but we are treading cautiously . A move to launch casinos may generate opposition since the state has already banned lottery and gambling. In the next few days, we will discuss legalising offshore casinos.”

A senior tourism official said that it’s time casinos were legalised in coastal areas to promote tourism because a lot of people from Karnataka go to Goa to visit casinos. “Many illegal clubs are functioning from apartments and rented office spaces. The state is losing out on a lot of revenue by not legalising casinos,” he added.

Kharge said that they need a policy before granting casino licenses. At present, only Goa, Sikkim and Daman and Diu allow casinos, but a few top government functionaries and state ministers could agree on offshore casinos.