Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: As many as eight casinos operating in Goa, both onshore and offshore, have failed to clear outstanding payments to the State government amounting to more than ₹314.56 crore, with arrears in certain cases stretching back to 2018, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informed the Legislative Assembly.
Placing the details on the floor of the House, Sawant said the pending amounts primarily relate to Annual Recurring Fees (ARF) payable by casino licensees.
Of the eight defaulting entities, three onshore casinos are no longer operational, while five continue to function. Among the operational units, two are currently facing licence suspension due to non-payment of government dues.
Sawant, who also holds the Home portfolio, told the House that the proposed Goa Public Gaming Rules, 2025 are presently under legal scrutiny by the Law Department. He said the revised framework is intended to introduce stricter oversight, including checks on the profile of casino patrons and other regulatory aspects of casino operations.
According to the statement tabled, the total outstanding amount of ₹314.56 crore is owed by eight entities — La Calypso Hotels Pvt. Ltd., Trade Wings Hotels Ltd., MKM Grand Gaming & Entertainment (all three non-operational), Britto Amusements Pvt. Ltd., Raffles Square Development Pvt. Ltd., Big B Leisure LLP, Machos Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., and Golden Globe Hotels Pvt. Ltd. Two of these operators have had their licences suspended.
The Chief Minister said La Calypso Hotels Pvt. Ltd. is the largest defaulter, with dues exceeding ₹107.11 crore, a matter that is currently before the Administrative Tribunal. Another operator, MKM Grand Gaming & Entertainment, owes over ₹80 crore, with the case pending adjudication before the Supreme Court.
Sawant further informed the House that the government has begun proceedings to recover ₹82.70 crore from Trade Wings Hotels Ltd.
Additionally, demand notices have been issued to Britto Amusements Pvt. Ltd. and Raffles Square Development Pvt. Ltd. for recovery of outstanding ARF amounts pertaining to the Covid-19 pandemic period, he added.
