Casino operators in Goa collectively owe the State government Rs 352.44 crore in unpaid dues, with some cases stretching back to 2018, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant informed the Assembly on Tuesday.
In a written reply during the ongoing Assembly session, the Chief Minister tabled a document listing valid casino licencees and identifying those who have defaulted on Annual Recurring Fees (ARF) and dues accumulated during the Covid period.
An analysis of the data reveals that among the 18 onshore casinos with valid licences, nine have outstanding payments, while six others have either had their licences revoked or are no longer operational.
Three of the non-operational onshore casinos alone account for over Rs 264.81 crore in arrears. These include La Calypso Hotels Pvt Ltd, whose licence was revoked in June 2023 and owes more than Rs 102.11 crore; Trade Wings Hotels Ltd, formerly operating from Bogmallo Beach Resort, which has accumulated dues of Rs 82.7 crore between February 2018 and March 2022; and MKM Grand Gaming, under suspension since 2018, with unpaid dues of Rs 80 crore.
Sawant stated that the government has issued demand notices, reminders, and show-cause letters to multiple licence holders.
The data also points to the pandemic as a contributing factor to the mounting arrears. The Supreme Court had earlier permitted 75 per cent of the principal amount to be paid for the affected months during the Covid period.
Among offshore casinos, only Golden Globe Hotels Pvt Ltd has pending dues of Rs 8.25 crore. All other offshore operators, including major players like Delta Corp and Majestic Pride operating in the Mandovi, are currently compliant with their payment obligations.
The data also points to the pandemic as a contributing factor to the mounting arrears. The Supreme Court had earlier permitted 75 per cent of the principal amount to be paid for the affected months during the Covid period.
Among offshore casinos, only Golden Globe Hotels Pvt Ltd has pending dues of Rs 8.25 crore. All other offshore operators, including major players like Delta Corp and Majestic Pride operating in the Mandovi, are currently compliant with their payment obligations.