A POCKET FULL OF ACES

Jaydev Mody has become India’s casino czar by institutionalising Indians’ love for gambling and packaging it well. He now wants to future-proof brand Deltin by going international, opening casinos on cruises, and growing in the online gaming space.

- AVEEK DATTA

WITH ITS SANDY BEACHES stretching alongside the Arabian Sea, chill vibes, and great food, Goa is a global holiday destination that attracts millions of visitors from around the world. But while the former Portuguese colony is best known for its beaches, its rivers are fun, too. Take the Mandovi, for instance. The river, which cuts across Goa’s capital city of Panaji, shimmers in the evenings with a kaleidoscopic reflection of the city lights and six beautifully lit ships.

The presence of these floating vessels isn’t merely ornamental. They are the casinos that make Goa the gaming capital of the country. These casinos aren’t exactly the gambling grandeur that you’d expect in the desert strip of Las Vegas in the U.S., or the uber luxury experience in Monaco in the French Riviera. But for many leisure travellers who come to Goa to spend quality time on the beaches during the day, these casinos are the go-to place in the evening. Besides staying open and serving liquor all night long, they offer an adrenaline rush, the way only gambling can: You take on the house by placing a bet and always hope to recover a portion of what the holiday cost you.

Three of these six gaming ships on the Mandovi are owned by one company: Mumbai-based Delta Corp. Its flagship in Goa, the Deltin Royale, is also the largest gaming vessel on the Mandovi and one of the largest casinos in India.

Spread across four levels, the Royale resembles a giant, vintage ballroom—with carpeted flooring and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling—with gaming stations offering everything from Texas Hold’em Poker, American Roulette, and Blackjack to Indian variations such as Teen Patti.