What's the future of casinos in Goa? Will online casinos prevail over existing ones?

In Goa, casino culture is a big part of what makes the tourist state thrive. Not only do outsiders come and try their hand at games such as Blackjack, Roulette, Poker, and many more, but the locals are invested in it as well. Now, with the current global trends, things are changing everywhere, so here's what the casino scene in Goa is looking like right now.

While the tourist state is relatively safe from the covid virus, it does have about 3,000 to 4,000 active cases. In such a situation, it would be best for you folks to stay indoors, even if your favourite casinos are taking all precautions.

Shifting tides in Goa

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In the state of Goa both land-based and water-based casinos are legal. The first casino in Goa opened in 1999, and there are now 15 of them, with five offshore in ships anchored on the Mandovi River. With an estimated 15,000 guests daily, the Goan government earns around ₹1.35 billion ($22M) in taxes from the business.

Needless to say, not only are casinos a big part of locals' and tourists' lives, but casinos also play an important role in providing the state government with a lot of capital in taxes.

Now, since everything is shutting down and moving to an online presence, so are casinos, but not in the way you may think. This is where the aspect of online gaming comes into play.

The concept of online casinos and gambling online isn't something new. It has been around for a few years now, but what is interesting is that now, online portals are catering to what the Indians want. There is a spike in India focused content on online casinos and casino apps.

While there are loads of advancements in the online casino scene, casinos, at least in Goa are less about playing games and more about the experience and vibe of going to a place. So, could online casinos completely run down the existing ones? Only time will tell.