Essel Group Seeks to Launch Casino Maharaja; Sixth Offshore Casino in Goa

Goa continues to remain the No. 1 gaming destination in India and the latest to capitalize on the opportunity is the Essel Group, which is planning an offshore casino in the state. The news confirms that despite the recent ruckus against casinos in Goa, BJP’s moves to support investors has proved worthwhile. According to Glaws.in, this new casino is none other than the defunct one, which is currently owned by Gopal Kanda, former Haryana minister’s Golden Globe Hotel Private limited (GGHPL), a part of the MDLR group.

This is the sixth casino in Goan waters and was inoperative due to a lapse in license and subsequent pending dues. In early August this year, the company was willing to pay the pending dues amounting to almost ₹50 crores and Goa CM Laxmikant Parsekar had announced the renewal of their license once this was done. The announcement had evoked a huge hue and cry from the opposition, who had claimed that the government was encouraging casinos with a fresh new license.

In a latest update, as per the Asia Gaming Brief, the Essel Group headed by Subhash Chandra has been looking at launching the largest floating casino in Goa since 2009, but were unsuccessful due to difficult licensing issues.

It is now being speculated that the Essel Group may be able to fulfill its goal, by acquiring a stake in the GGHPL and getting the latter’s license, as it has now paid up the dues. Moreover, the fact that Chandra has been recently elected as an independent to the Rajya Sabha, with the BJP’s support, could well smoothen the way for the venture, as the party is currently ruling in Goa.

The company already has a vessel all ready with casino infrastructure and only requires a license. Additionally, the Goa government has put a cap on new licenses and collaborating with the GGHPL may be the only way out for Essel’s dreams of launching Casino Maharaja.

Essel Group already has a finger in the Indian gaming pie with Playwin, one of the most popular lotteries available in several states and has also recently entered the virtual space, with PokerNation.com, an online poker site.