A floating casino in Goan waters
Difficulties related to the legislation of the casinos in Goa could generate more tourist entries in Macau’s casinos says Union Gaming Research analysts in a note cited by Macau Business. In 2011, around 170,000 visitors came to Macau from India.
Local authorities of the state of Goa in India are proposing a stringent law to discourage its residents from entering the casinos by imposing a heavy surcharge.
At the same time, Goa officials are proposing a reduction in entrance fees for visitors to both onshore and offshore casinos.
“While the lowered entry fee could generate more tourist entries, we believe a law that excludes locals from gambling could result in a marginal visitation benefit for other Asian gaming jurisdictions like Cambodia, Malaysia, Macau and Singapore”, Union Gaming Research analysts said in a note cited by Macau Business.
The BJP, the ruling party in Goa, has been vehemently opposing offshore casinos, claiming they were a bad influence on the local population.
On August 1, the state cabinet of Goa approved proposed amendments to the Goa Public Gambling Act, 1976, to empower the government to restrict the entry of Goans and youth under 21 years into casinos. The bill was passed by the state legislative assembly on August 8 but is yet to be enforced.
The general opinion among the goan population is that casinos in Goa have led to the devastation of Goan families, Goan lifestyle and Goan people and need to be stopped and closed down forever.
In 2011, around 170,000 visitors came to Macau from India.
