The Bombay High Court suspended the entry of a new floating casino operated by Delta Corp into the Mandovi River, opening one of the most significant recent regulatory disputes over the future of offshore gaming in Goa, India’s main land-based casino hub. The decision directly impacts on the expansion plans of Delta Pleasure Cruise Company Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary linked to Delta Corp Ltd, which sought to replace a historical small-scale license with a mega vessel capable of hosting more than 2,000 passengers.
The interim order was issued on May 6, 2026, by judges Amit S. Jamsandekar and Valmiki Menezes from the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court. The court prohibited the vessel from entering Panaji Port or launching casino operations until mandatory technical certifications are completed and additional judicial authorization is granted.
Bombay High Court
At the center of the dispute is the replacement of the former M.V. Royale Flotel, originally licensed for approximately 70 passengers, with the new M.V. Deltin Royale, a structure measuring approximately 112 meters in length and 28 meters in width. Activists and petitioners argued that the move violates the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act, particularly Section 13E, because the law permits license transfers but does not automatically authorize replacement with significantly larger vessels without a new regulatory review.
Valmiki Menezes
The Public Interest Litigation was filed by Enough Is Enough Movement alongside Libia Lobo Sardesai, Uday Bhembre, Sudip Tamankar and Harish Madkaikar, who warned about environmental impacts, river navigation pressure and risks for fishing communities and the Mandovi ecosystem. Petitioners also cited technical reports prepared by the Goa Ports Secretariat in 2021 warning about river congestion linked to offshore casinos.
There are currently six offshore casinos operating on the Mandovi River with a combined capacity of approximately 1,987 passengers, a figure the new vessel alone would surpass the number of people. The Goa government assured the court will not modify the existing license until judicial review is completed.
The next hearing is scheduled for July 6, 2026, and could redefine future capacity limits, licensing standards, environmental controls and expansion policies surrounding Goa’s floating casino model.
