PANAJI: Can the depreciating rupee hit a jackpot? Sure it can - for the gambling havens of Goa. Casino officials say a rupee freefall means more bang for the buck for dollar-tourists in India but the real big spenders are bulge-bracket desis who now find it cheaper to fly down for a weekend of gambling in Goa rather than hoof it to Macau or Las Vegas.
"Most of our clients are from north India. With the depreciating rupee, travelling abroad is expensive and it's cheaper to fly to Goa for gambling," said a casino official, who did not wish to be identified.
Weekends typically see a rush of high-spending tourists from north India and many 'VIP customers' often splurge over a crore, taking turns at the roulette and blackjack tables as well as the slot machines. To make things easier for the guests, huge quantities of cash is pre-arranged through agents in Delhi and other places in north India and delivered in Goa.
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