Goa collected Rs 411 crore in FY18

Goa’s government collected around Rs 411 crore (US$53.8 million) in revenue from casinos in the 2018 financial year, according to Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.

The minister was speaking at the legislative assembly on Wednesday.

"Under the said Act, presently there are six offshore and eight onshore casinos operating in Goa. The government collected Rs 411.44 crore revenue in the year 2018-19 from these casinos," he said. 

Casinos have been a hot topic amongst legislators. 

In June, Sawant went under fire for commenting that casinos are important for tourism in Goa, accused of u-turning his stance on casinos.

There is also a chance of new casinos may be allowed in a commercial zone close to the new Mopa airport. 

The casinos would be reserved for airline passengers only, however, an amendment to the current law is still required to make the proposal a reality.

On Wednesday, Sawant also promised to finalize a date on the barring of local Goans from casinos. 

“You all will be taken into confidence to finalize the date to stop Goans entry in casinos. I have started examining the act, I feel, Goans should not visit casinos,” he said. 

Latest Intelligence

Latest issue

PATA CEO sees slow recovery, but optimism for future

AGB Podcasts