Goa Government Extends Lockdown, Casinos to Remain Closed For the Foreseeable Future 

Even as the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is raging across the country, Goa has been one of the least affected states in this outbreak so far. Famous for its beaches and a bustling casino industry, the coastal state has been under lockdown from as early as March 14. To date, there have been only seven COVID-positive cases reported in the state, with not a single new case since April 4. Nonetheless, the Pramod Sawant-led state government is not taking any chances. Following a conservative approach, the government has taken the call to extend the lockdown of business establishments, including all casinos indefinitely.

On Saturday, Health Minister Jose D’Sa issued an order extending the closure of establishments like casinos, schools, nightclubs, etc., until further notice. The order was issued under the provisos of the Epidemic Act, 1987, and comes just a day after the Union government permitted local-area shops to open for business.

With a countrywide lockdown in place and stringent travel restrictions, casinos weren’t going to get much business anyway. However, the latest orders indicate that the casinos could likely remain closed for a long time. Like other industries, the lockdown has impacted these casinos significantly, endangering the livelihoods of hundreds of people employed by the sector.

What Do the Poker Room Operators Have to Say?

The notice on the extension of the lockdown prompted us to reach out to the poker room operators in Goa for their assessment of the situation.

Talking about the extension, Business Head (Poker) Delta Corp, Manish J. Adnani, commented, “Nations Health first, so definitely we need to adhere to whatever is required from that perspective.”

Adnani refused to comment on the casino business, but admitted that it was a tough time for live poker, “I don’t see any forward movement till November.”

Delta Corp owns and operates three offshore casinos and one land-based casino in Goa. The company’s stock prices had plummeted to a 52-week low last month when the nation-wide lockdown was first announced. As of March 24, the company’s shares were trading as low as ₹59.50 on the BSE. The company capitalized on the fall by announcing a buy-back of its own shares worth up to ₹125 Crores from the open market. The scrip has stabilized since and is currently trading at ₹68.70 per share.

Like Adnani, even PokerBaazi LIVE poker room operator Chirag Sodha had a similar take on the extension. “It’s definitely not the best news, but I totally agree with the lockdown extension for places like casinos. It’s in the interest of the people and is a necessary step in ensuring the safety of everyone across the state,” he said.

On further prodding on whether the extension will result in an increase in online action, Sodha, who last Sunday won a career-best 25 Lakhs in Adda52’s Full House tournament, replied, “Well, online series have already been scheduled on PokerBaazi.com, and I believe all operators are doing the same. Our staff is well and healthy, and that’s the important thing, I am personally in touch with them regularly, and for now, we have told everyone to just worry about staying safe, and nothing else.”

With live poker out of the equation, at least for the foreseeable future, the online platforms will continue to drive the action!