Goa, India's smallest state, has agreed in principle to grant five new licenses to floating offshore casinos.
Goa's Chief Secretary J P Singh says proposals for the new licenses have already begun coming from gaming companies and hotels from around the world.
According to travel industry publication TravelBiz Monitor, sources indicate that: "casinos players like Goa Coastal Resorts and Recreation Pvt. Ltd., Victor Hotels and Motels Ltd. (both from Goa), Cannosa Investment (Hong Kong), Recreation Centre (Nepal) have submitted proposals and the received the ‘in principle’ approval. Apart from that, Creative Gaming Solutions Pvt. Ltd., UB Infrastructure Projects Ltd., Herald Publications Pvt. Ltd., Highstreet Cruises and Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., V M Salgaoncar and Bro Pvt. Ltd. and Hotel Leela Ventures Ltd. from India and Clermont Leisure, Victoria Club (both from United Kingdom) are in the fray for seeking permission to start floating casinos."
Two offshore casinos are already operational in the tourist state and a third will begin operations this month.