Panaji: The onshore casino operators in Goa have sought a reduction in the proposed hike of annual licence fee. They also want live gaming permits on par with offshore casino operators.
At a press conference here on Friday, Kundan Shetye, partner with Grand 7 casino, also demanded that the state government set up a Gaming Commission at the earliest to streamline the casino industry in the state.
“We are not opposed to the hike per se, but it should be proportionate. A four to five-fold increase in the existing fee structure, will kill the onshore casinos. In comparison, the annual fee of offshore casinos has been hiked only three to four times,” said Mr. Shetye. He hoped that the government would consider their demands. Goa has seven offshore and nine onshore casinos.
Mr. Shetye also said that reduction of licence fees for land-based casinos will provide a level playing field and fair competition against offshore casinos. Live gaming, he said, was a more attractive proposition for gamblers over mechanised gambling and demanded that onshore casinos be also allowed to set up live gaming options.
The offshore casinos continue to be parked in river Mandovi off Panaji whereas the onshore casinos operate out of coastal resorts, and five star hotels.
While live gaming is permitted on offshore casinos, onshore or land casinos are only permitted to allow mechanised gaming.
Last month, in its bid to mobilise revenue, in the aftermath of recent temporary ban on mining in the State, the Goa government proposed a hike of annual licence fees of onshore casinos from ₹8.5 crore (for casinos with gaming area of 1000 sq. mts) to ₹₹40 crore, while the fee for offshore casinos were hiked from ₹12 crore (for vessels with a capacity of 400 passengers) to ₹40 crore.
Both,Congress as well as the Bharatiya Janata Party governments over the years have dilly dallied over setting up a Gaming Commission, despite making poll promises. The BJP-led government of Mr. Parrikar during its previous term, in 2013, amended the law for that but it is gathering dust with the necessary rules yet to be framed.
