The Covid-19 pandemic has done its fair share of damage to almost all types of industries in India and abroad.
Several phases of the lockdown process were implemented by the Indian government to try curbing this deadly medical condition.
While some industries are recuperating from the heavy losses, other Indian industries are autonomously witnessing both boom and bane.
The Indian gambling industry is one such key paradigm that not only witnesses a drastic turn from the traditional approach but also tends to increase its online presence in real money gaming.
Goa is one of the states in India where both land-based and also water-based casinos are operating legally. Since the first casino opened in 1999, there have been 14 other casinos that followed; 5 amongst these are offshore ships stationed at the Mandovi River.
Goa has been praised for this move, as it gains about INR 1.35 billion in taxes yearly and has managed to almost eradicate unregulated gambling. Many tourists now visit Goa, especially for the casinos.
In this article, we will highlight some of the major changes at casinos in India, precaution measures being taken there, and the future of gaming laws in India.
Why Gaming Industries Have Potential to Grow In India?
Before the pandemic, almost half of the Indian population was already using the internet.
Due to the evident lockdown and zoning laws, an upsurge in the daily internet users increased by almost 40% since the lockdown started in the country.
Moreover, people who were isolated in their houses needed something to kill time. Online gaming was one of the ways to get busy. That prompted many Indian internet users to start playing online games.
According to a report from Nishit Desai Associates – one of the leading law firms in India, a 24% increase in online gaming traffic was alone seen between February and March 2020.
Thus, the Indian gaming industry gained a good presence online and certainly has the potential to grow drastically.
The Impact on Physical Casinos in India
Just like many other companies, the Indian gaming industry is also a two-edged sword that has to witness losses in real-world casinos in India.
While real-money gaming got a heavy increase in traffic with lucrative online casino games, various casinos around India had to be restricted due to social distancing and lockdowns.
The Indian government had to enact certain rules for safekeeping the people of the country from spreading the disease to one another.
Thus, popular casinos in places like Sikkim and Daman had been temporarily closed down, since March 15th, 2020.
However, popular tourist places like Goa, which heavily relies on boosting the union territory’s economy through tourists, had a different way of coping with this.
Restrictions Made by Government to Run Casinos in Goa
The government there allowed the casinos to remain open but with certain precautions.
Here are a few:
- The residents of Goa have been banned from entering the casinos there, with exception to the employees of the casinos.
- Actions will be taken against the people of Goa if they are found gambling in the real-world casinos in their area.
- The tourists will not be banned from entering the casinos and are allowed to gamble there. However, they will require a permit, which will be issued by the gaming commissioner, to gamble in those casinos.
- Offshore vessels with casinos have all been parked on the Mandovi river to keep the games going, but with precaution.
These steps were needed to keep a check on the excess crowd while keeping the Goan economy alive for sustenance.
The Changes in Regular Casinos
No doubt, the coronavirus has impacted heavily on the casino industry worldwide. Also, there has been a decline in physical players at various popular gambling stations.
However, that cannot stop the diehard casino players and tourists from enjoying the game.
That’s why, the government has encouraged all casinos to follow proper hygiene practices, and keep things as much under control as possible.
Hygiene Practice Regulated by Governments
- The state governments have promoted proper testing of tourists to ensure that they do not carry the disease with them. This is necessary so that safe gameplays can be conducted at regular casinos.
- All employees checking in regularly at open casinos, have to be tested for temperature and other safety measures before entering the premises. Many resorts and casinos have even added onsite testing facilities.
- Several casinos around the world have been upgraded with sensors so that doors can open automatically for tourists.
- Card dealers at the socially-distanced tables will wear masks at all times.
- Each table will also have limited players distanced from each other conveniently.
- Crowds that are usually seen standing behind winning players on a Blackjack table, also as we see in movies, will not be permitted to do so anymore.
- Some casinos are also implementing poker rooms with glass protections for individual players.
- Dealers and employees will also need to wear sneeze guards to ensure hygiene.
- Cards will be dealt with facing upwards so that there is limited handling by players.
- At slots, the machines will be shut off between players.
- Casinos will also promote changing cards more often. The sanitization of chips will also be encouraged.
- Some casinos have also promoted the use of stickers that mention about the place being just cleaned for tourists.
- Casino buffets might not be permitted anymore due to an increase in budget for ensuring cleanliness. Moreover, many tourists might not feel comfortable eating food from such public places anymore.
- Some casinos might not entertain players with drinks for the near future.
- Casinos will also add a new and improved air filtration systems for the masses.
- The use of cash will be discouraged and even banned at casinos. Instead, electronic payments will be used.
- Players will have hand sanitizers available in casinos freely.
- Tipping the dealers might not be as frequent as before.
- CCTV to trace people’s movements and a separate area to be kept for potential Covid-19 patients.
What About Regular Casino Players in India?
With so many restrictions going on, the regular Indian casino players had to find an alternative. For them, the real money gaming needs were satiated through online casinos.
As mentioned earlier, the Indian gaming industry has witnessed a surge due to many regular and new players in India.
Their access to games like Teen Patti, Andar Bahar, Blackjack, Roulette, and many others has allowed them to earn while staying at home.
As a result, many Indian online casinos have witnessed an increase in new-player registrations like never before.
The Verdict
The brick-and-mortar casinos in Goa and abroad are inevitably going to change drastically for the next few years.
There is no saying until when this will be carried out unless a miraculous cure comes and makes it all better again.
Regardless of the troubles, Indian gamblers can register at real money gaming sites for experiencing a similar level of enjoyment as in brick-and-mortar casinos.
After the pandemic is over, would you prefer a virtual casino or a physical one?
