Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has revealed that the state’s onshore and offshore casinos have combined to contribute tax revenues of 1,277.29 crore, equal to just over US$175 million, over the past nine years.
According to information Sawant presented to the House last week and reported by local gaming industry news site Glaws, the contribution has included around 785.5 crore (US$108 million) from offshore casinos and 491.8 crore (US$67.5 million) from onshore casinos.
The long-term future of the state’s casinos remains somewhat clouded following revelations by Sawant last week that locals would be banned from entering Goa’s casino floors from 1 February 2021. The move is designed to placate opponents of the local gaming industry.
“I had assured on the floor of the House during the last Assembly session (August 2019) that Goans would be banned from entering casinos,” Sawant was quoted as saying.
“We are going to implement the assurance from February 1.”
There have also been moves to relocate Goa’s six offshore casinos from their long-time home on the Mandovi River to a permanent home on land but no suitable location has yet been agreed upon.
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