Andhra Pradesh receives six casino proposals

Sunday 9th of October 2016

The Andhra Pradesh state government has received six proposals to open casinos in the state, including one in the Krishna River, local media reports.

However, the state government has yet to make any decision on the proposals, some of which have been pending for at least two years.

Andhra Pradesh Project Facilitators and Consultancy Services Limited (APPFCS) chief consultant and director, K. Lakshminarayana said there was a hold up from the Centre and the Navy.

“Some people have proposed to set up casinos but the government has not yet taken any decision. Getting permission for a casino is difficult as we need to get a regulatory nod from the Centre and the Navy. So far, nothing has moved on these,” he said.

One of the proposals includes a casino on an island in the Krishna River. Siva Prakash Bobba, told The Hindu, “I find one of the islands in the river Krishna very much suitable for setting up a casino. I’m planning to propose it to the government. The plan is also in tune with the government’s grand design of creating a replica of Sentosa amusement park of Singapore here.”

However, for the casinos to be allowed to start, there would also need to be an amendment to the Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act, 1974, which prohibits gambling, but local insiders say casinos may fall low on the list of priorities for now.

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