Leela Hotels asked to close its floating casino in Goa

The Goa Government has ordered the closure of Leela Hotels’ offshore casino with immediate effect after the latter failed to pay an annual licence fee of Rs five crore within the stipulated time.

The state government had turned down the operators’ request to grant more time to pay the licensing fee for the year 2009-10, which was to be paid on or before September 26.

“Hotel Leela Ventures Limited is hereby directed to close the operations of offshore casino on M V Leela with immediate effect,” an order signed by state under secretary (Home) Siddhivinayak Naik on October 6, reads.

The state home department is the licencing authority for off shore casinos in Goa.

With the recent order, the company’s proposed deal to sell off the floating casino to Golden Globe Hotels has hit a roadblock.