Number of Casino Boats Shrinking in India

Although Indian gambling laws do not allow any casino gaming on a national level, the states of Goa and Sikkim still allow it based on local regulations. Gamblers in Goa have even been able to visit riverboat casinos, but that kind of “offshore” gaming has been under constant attack by the local government.

In a latest move to be reported by Indian gambling news media, the local administration refused to renew such a license for Delta Corp when it decided to replace its old ship. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar claimed that the M V Horseshoe could not operate under the license issued for its predecessor the M V Arabian Sea.

A statement published on the Chief Minister’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/parrikar.manohar on Wednesday asserts that concerning “the highly debated and publicized Horseshoe Casino, please note that it’s only a vessel. Permission for starting of casino has been rejected.”

Overall, the new Goa government is adamant on curbing these types of casinos in India. With the latest license refusal and a recent license cancellation, two of the previously operational five casino boats are out of the picture.

Parrikar insist that “a vicious campaign is currently being run about supposed change in stance by my Government on the issue of casino. I would like to put it on record that my stand on casinos has not changed.”