Goa casinos to pay up, or go home

Friday 27th of April 2018

Goa casinos who fail to pay their increased license fees will risk having their licenses cancelled completely, according to local media reports.

On Thursday, the High Court of Bombay asked the state government of Goa to make a submission regarding any consequences for casino operators who fail to pay their increased annual license fees.

Advocate General Dattaprasad Lawande said that non-payment of fees will result in cancellation of casino licence, however, the process by which this would be served still needs to be submitted to the court.

Over the last few weeks, the license fee hike has been a topic of contention between the government and the local casino operators.

One particular operator, Golden Globe Hotels Private Limited, submitted a petition to the High Court asking for permission to pay the increased fees in instalments as it only began operation in January.

However, the petition was struck down by the Division bench this week, saying that the license fee hike was in effect for 15 casinos and was not specific to one casino.

Payment of the new annual license fees are due on April 27.

Bricks & Mortar Regulation & Legal