Essel group-promoted casino to begin operations in Goa

A Essel group promoted offshore casino, Goa's sixth floating gambling facility, will begin operations in next two months after receiving mandatory certification from DG Shipping, a senior official said today.

Maharaja Casino is awaiting the licence from the Director General of Shipping for its vessel, which is currently anchored in Mandovi river in Panaji city. "We will be able to get the clearance from DG Shipping in next couple of weeks and if things falls in line, we will have our gaming licence in next two months," John Snowball, General Manager, Creative Gaming Solutions Pvt Ltd, told PTI.

The ship has been anchored in Mandovi river waters for sometime now and has been a part of the 'Association of Offshore Casinos' (AOC), an umbrella organisation which covers all the floating casinos. The casino mounted on the 70-metre long Panamanian vessel, costing $25 million, will have 31 gaming tables, six pocker tables and 82 slot machines, Snowball said.

Around 170-plus staff, who are being trained at the casinos specially commissioned school in Goa, will man the gaming part while 130 other employees will manage the security and other vital aspects of the ship.

The vessel will offer games like American roulette, Blackjack, three card poker, Texas hold em all poker, Baccarat and Casino Stud besides the slot machines which are not the part of live gaming, he said.