Goa proposes a 200% hike in casino licence fees for new entrants in 2026 27 budget

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told the Legislative Assembly the state will raise the fee for setting up new onshore casinos by 200% over the current level, while reiterating that no additional offshore casino licences will be issued.

Goa’s government has proposed a sharp increase in the cost of entering its regulated casino market, announcing in the 2026–2027 state budget (presented March 6) that the licensing fee for setting up new casinos will rise by 200% over the current fee. The measure was presented by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant during the budget session of the Goa Legislative Assembly.

Local reporting indicates the current fee referenced in the announcement is ₹20 crore, meaning a “200% increase” would effectively triple the amount payable by a new applicant. Officials also clarified the hike is aimed at new onshore (land-based) casino applications, not existing licences, and is part of a broader push to increase non-tax revenues and tighten oversight of the sector.

A key point of the budget messaging was the distinction between onshore casinos (typically located in approved venues such as five-star hotels) and offshore casinos (casino vessels operating under a capped system). Sawant stated that no new offshore casinos would be allowed and that the number of offshore casino licences remains fixed at six, positioning the fee hike as a barrier to additional onshore expansion rather than a change to offshore capacity.

For operators and investors, the proposal signals Goa’s intent to treat casino licensing as a premium, tightly controlled permission—raising the “entry ticket” for newcomers while emphasizing that growth will be regulated through pricing, licensing caps, and stricter supervision.