Two onshore casinos in Goa have been shut down by the government due to the expiration of the five star category certification of the properties. The closure order was issued by secretary home Neetal Amonkar to the ‘O’ Hotel at Candolim and the Bogmallo Beach Resort. Both facilities directors received the shutdown order.

On the Bogmallo Beach Resort, the Casino Pearl was shut down by police in Vasco on a temporary basis just last Thursday. Grand 7 Casino was shut down as well. The shutdowns were based on the conditions of licensing. It is required by law that the licensee must operate games and machines only if the hotel associated with the casino has a five star certification that is valid by the government.

Both casinos were unable to continue their operators as the hotels five star certification had expired. The order stated that based on the conditions of the license, the casinos operations must stop with an immediate effect until a fresh five star classification certificate is produced to the government.

The home department made sure to send marked copies of the order to the superintendent of police in North Goa to ensure that the activities of the casinos stop. A compliance report has been ordered and the police have been asked to continue to check the gaming operations to make sure the properties have stopped.

With the closures, there are nine remaining onshore casino facilities. There are also four offshore casinos where should be allowed to remain in the River Mandovi. The state government is currently trying to finalize plans for the river casinos to move to a different location. Back in 2013, the river casinos were given an extension of two years to be able to move out of the river. These casinos include the Deltin Jaqk, Pride of Goa, Pride of Goa 2 and Deltin Royale.