Ten new betting houses in Goa

Goa, the only Indian state to have legalised casinos, will allow 10 betting houses to come up in the state as part of the government's plan to regulate gambling activities.

"Goa government will allow a maximum of 10 off-shore casinos as government does not want unchecked proliferation of gambling activities in the state," state special secretary (home) Dilraj Kaur said.

The state government action would attract more gamblers to the state. "Additional casinos will bring in competition and crime related to gambling," leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar said.

Goa already has six gambling dens, including the offshore `Caravela' on Mandovi river in Panaji and the government had recently made public its intention to allow up to 10 offshore casinos.

"The government has not invited application for casinos.. in fact, we feel it is better to have lesser casinos... We don't want to encourage gambling. We just intend to keep a check on it," Kaur said.

The government said that it was very clear not to allow more than 10 casinos.

"Six companies have already approached with their proposals", Kaur said, adding that a decision on where to set up the casinos would be taken depending on the proposals.

Each proposal will specify the place where it would like to have its casino boat anchored.