The fun-loving Gujaratis can now look to Daman for indulging in their love for card games as Delta Corp Limited is planning to come up with a casino at a hotel the group has recently acquired in the union territory.
Delta Corp which is into gaming and hospitality had acquired 51 percent stake in the Daman Hospitality Private limited (DHPL) that owns the resort property at Daman which is managed by Thunderbird Resorts under a management contract. Once implemented, the deal which was signed this year will now see one of the largest hotel-cum casino properties coming up at the Daman property.
"Around 40 to 45 percent of our total domestic customers annually are from Gujarat and hence we are expecting a huge footfall from Gujarat at our new casino offering in Daman. Ahmedabad is one of our prime gaming markets from where we get a lot of participants and enthusiasts coming in to our offshore casino at Goa year after year. Apart from Ahmedabad, we also get a lot of gaming enthusiasts coming from the cities of Surat and Vadodara. This participation has ensured that in keeping the Gujarati tourist in mind, we have even kept the option of Jain food available at the casino," said Brian Colwell, general manager gaming, Highstreet Cruises and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, a Delta Corp company.
'Thunderbird Resorts', the resort property situated in Daman, comprises of 176 rooms, having 29,000 sq ft area for indoor events and meeting area as well as 70,000 sq ft of leisure area including outdoor pools and other entertainment areas.
Currently under construction the casino would be functional by 2013 and once operational, it would be equipped to offer 1000 gaming positions including 100 gaming and 300 slot machines for gaming enthusiasts.
While the group is awaiting a license required for operating a five star property, they have already acquired an 'in principle' license to set up a casino in Daman. The company currently owns one of India's largest offshore gaming casino vessel in Goa called Casino Royale since 2008.
Delta Corp Limited is one of the prominent players within the Indian gaming and entertainment industry that looks to consolidate its position by adding to its existing portfolio with the 5 star hotel cum casino offering at Daman.
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The company would also be hosting 'World gaming festival' between September 23 and 26 at Casino Royale, its live gaming casino vessel in Goa. The event will see 600 players competing in skill-based games that include black jack, poker, baccarat and Indian flush.
Company officials said that the company also had plans to bring the gaming festival format to Daman in the near future.
Currently there are approximately 13 casinos in Goa and one in Sikkim in India respectively.