Indian tourist state bets on gambling income
(source: AFP)
Indian tourist state bets on gambling income
PANJIM, India, July 4 (AFP) –
Indians looking for a flutter no longer need to leave the country in search of the nearest casino.
The western Indian tourist state of Goa is betting on online lotteries and casinos, including a massive gambling emporium on a luxury ship called the
“Caravela,” to help fill its coffers this year.
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said the state legislature had fought hard to amend the Goa Gambling Act dating back to 1976 which prohibited
gambling.
“It has been an uphill battle sometimes in a conservative country like India to legalise gambling. It took two amendments to usher in the change,” said
Parrikar.
“But now most critics will agree that Goa is looking at a winner. A small state like ours with 1.4 million people can hardly subsist on taxes alone,”
said the provincial chief. “We need to be innovative.”
Despite some strident protests from the predominantly Catholic community in the former Portuguese enclave, Goa went ahead and became India’s only state
to have slot machines in 1999. Gambling tables in five star hotels came next.
In March this year, Casinos Austria, owned by the Austrian Mint (a subsidiary of the Austrian National Bank) and its Indian partner Advani
Pleasure Cruise were awarded India’s first gambling operation licence.
“Our midnight casino cruise on the ‘Caravela’ which starts from Goa’s Mandovi River jetty at 10:00pm and gets back after sighting dolphins out at
sea is very popular,” said Roque Barreto of Advani Pleasure Cruise.
“We are planning to increase the entry fee to 3,000 rupees (65 dollars) from 2,000 rupees. Our guests will also have to buy 2,000 rupees worth of casino
chips.”
Tourists who climb aborad the Caravela will find the 64-meter (211 foot) long, 10-metre (33 feet) wide second deck fitted with a casino, private
gaming room and resturants.
The Caravela also has a sundeck, swimming pool and suites for guests.
“The potential is excellent. Our tables offer everything from American roulette and black jack to Indian rummy,” said Barreto.
“We also enjoy the early bird advantage. At least 80 percent of our clients are Indian tourists. The rest are foreigners holidaying in Goa. We expect to
see a lot of action this winter.”
Casinos Austria which runs 200 casinos in more than 25 countries said it had a “gut instinct” that starting operations in Goa would pay off.
Local social activists, however, are planning to stage year-long protests in opposition to gambling and proposed online lotteries.
“The government has done enough damage by importing the casino culture to Goa. But it must draw the line at online lotteries,” said advocate and
activist Albertina Almeida from an NGO called Bailancho Saad (Awakening Call).
“Gambling is out of control. All these casinos make it worse. I think the government is just looking for easy money at the cost of social degeneration,” she added.
“It is time to have another look at our policies on gambling,” said Almeida, whose stance has won backing from churches and other groups.
Activists said gambling-mad Goans that should have spent their money on food, or to build stable families, frittered away their incomes.
“Most people buy multiple lottery tickets. At least 60 percent of young Goans play the slot machines, buy lottery tickets or gamble regularly. That
is more than those who drink,” said Almeida.
She said the poor were especially vulnerable to promises of overnight fortune.
Gambling, apart from horse racing and lotteries, is outlawed in most Indian states. Until Goa provided legal gambling outlets, gamblers had to travel to
the Nepalese capital Kathmandu to place their bets.
Date Posted: 05-Jul-2001
