Goa’s offshore casinos get twelve-month extension

Goa’s six floating casinos remain in their current location on the Mandovi River as authorities have yet to identify an alternative site.

India.- Goa’s state cabinet has granted a twelve-month extension for off-shore casinos to continue to operate on the Mandovi River in Panaji until October 1, 2022. According to The Times of India, the government had identified four possible sites to relocate casinos but all were found to be technically not feasible.

Authorities have proposed extending the time limit for shifting offshore casinos from the river until next year. An extension had been previously settled in February. At the time, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said casinos were going to remain where they are until an alternative location is found.

The government had found a location along the coast in Verem, near Reis Magos, and one of the casino operators has agreed to move to that location, but the was opposition from Saligao MLA Jayesh Salgaonkar.

Delta Corp gets permission for integrated resort in Goa

Delta Corp has said that Goa’s Investment Promotion Board has approved the company’s project for a new integrated resort in Pernem. Last December, the company announced the acquisition of around 100 acres of land in Pernem, Goa for the development as it seeks to shift operations from floating casinos to land-based casino resorts.

Delta Corp currently owns three of Goa’s six floating casinos. It also has a casino in Sikkim and a five-star resort in Daman, for which it has applied for a casino licence. The company is also seeking to expand into Nepal.

Delta Corp said its land-based IR project will include hotels, a convention centre, a multiplex cinema, a water park, retail facilities as well as an electronic casino to boost tourism in Pernem.