Going for Goa: New Delta IR Deal Ushers in Diversification of Gaming in Goa

Goa is a new area of interest for the gambling sector, with prominent IR projects moving forward to set the table for extensive revenue-gathering from the famous tourist region.

The New IR

Delta Corp is increasing its foothold in the area by attaining permission in principle to build an integrated resort IR in Goa which further conditions the region for iGaming in the future.

The Permits

India's only listed gaming company announced that the Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board authority has provided the company with approval for a massive project which will include hotels; a convention center; a multiplex cinema; an electronic casino; a retail casino; and water park.

Location

The resort will be set on a property in Pernem in the north, bordering India's second largest state Maharashtra.

Delta Speaks

Delta called the integrated resort project the first of its kind in India:

“The project is expected to boost tourism, employment and infrastructure of the state of Goa.”

Delta Permit Update

India's iGaming policy is proving to affects land-based attitudes with this deal.

At this point Delta holds three of six offshore floating casino licenses in Goa, which is one of two states in India to allow gaming. The other state is Sikkim, where Delta runs a casino in a hotel. Delta further operates a luxury resort in Daman Territory where is is currently awaiting permission to open another casino.

The Electronic License

For the project in Goa, Delta has emphasized the electronic component of the casino for a permit, as land-based licenses do not yet exist in the state, meaning that the iGaming permissions have paved the way for the IR which will integrate land-based play as part of the greater permit licenses.

Regional Policy Status

At this juncture in India, five-star hotels can offer electronic gaming, but live table games are not permitted as of yet. Nine electronic gaming cites operate in Goa, including Delta's Deltin Suites.

Outlook

With the government rumored to be moving the floating casinos out of the Mandovi river, and no land-based permits yet established, the government's friendliness towards electronic gaming indicates that iGaming has a strong potential for game-changing growth once all policies in attractive Goa are clarified.