Karnataka Explores The Option of Setting Up Offshore Casinos to Increase Tourism-Revenue

Tourism revenues are big money and Karnataka state has also begun to realize this. According to a recent report in Times of India, the southern state is seeking to increase its share of the pie by allowing offshore casinos. Currently only Goa, Sikkim and Daman are legally open to casinos and gambling entertainment. With ₹135 crore every year from casino tourism (as per 2013 reports), Goa has about 10 casinos (land and offshore) and is the only one among the three to have offshore casinos.

While gambling and betting fall under the purview of the state, it is unclear if the legislators will welcome changing the law to make these legal. Pradeep Singh Kharola, Principal Secretary (Tourism) has denied any plans to permit casinos. Similarly, KJ George, Karnataka Home Minister had stated that a strong law to control the problem of betting would be issued. However, since then, George was removed and Dr. G Parameshwara was given charge of the Home Department.

Reports state that the idea has certainly caught the interest of the state govt, which is thinking of setting up casinos on cruiseliners. The Karnataka state is tentatively looking at Karwar, Belekeri, Tadri, Malpe, Old and New Mangaluru ports as points for these floating casinos.

Two separate options are being studied by the govt, these include casino-journeys and stationary off-shore casinos. The first will comprise of a 3 days & 4 nights journey aboard a cruiseliner with a casino on board, starting from Mangaluru port, via Karwar touching Malpe Port and ending at the Udup port. The second option will be to have floating casinos permanently stationed at sea with overnight stay facilities, in line with the prevailing government policies and navigation laws.

Sources reveal that the state govt is actively pursuing these options and will be presenting these at the upcoming Invest Karnataka 2016 event in February.