The floating casinos of Goa are never far from the news nowadays, whether it’s the reporting of disputes between gambling politicians and casino operators or non-gambling politicians and the government casino licensing body. The latest items cover the temporary closure of Goa’s original offshore casino, MV Caravela, and an apparent takeover of the Leela Group’s Casino Rio by the MDLR Group, which runs the Mint Club Casino at Arpora.

In April it was reported that a buyer was being sought for the Caravela operation that at present is 51% owned by Advani Pleasure Cruise and 49% by a subsidiary of Casinos Austria. There is now some confusion over the reason for the suspension of gambling on the Caravela. The company maintains that it is owing to a technical problem with the vessel but the Ports Authority, which must be notified of such occurrences, has heard nothing. Financial problems are suspected as the casino operation, which ran as a monopoly from 2001 to last year, now faces competition in a time of economic recession.

Neither the Leela Group nor MDLR Group is commenting on the possible takeover of the Casino Rio. However, sources have been quoted by The Times of India as saying Rs 30 crore (around US$6.1 million) has been paid for the offshore gambling vessel. Talks on a deal apparently started two months ago, barely one month after the Mint Club Casino opened in Arpora. The Leela Group recently halted operations on Casino Rio but insist that staff jobs are safe. (E-06.22.09)

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