Thaindian News

Panaji, Sep 24 (IANS) Rs.50 million! That’s the probable booty at stake at the three-day World Gaming Festival at the Casino Royale, the biggest offshore casino in the country, located off Panaji.

The three-day festival, which began late Friday, already has more than 300 participants who will be using skill and probabilities in five popular games to outwit each other for the winner’s jackpot.

The games are — Black Jack, American Roulette, Poker, Baccarat and Indian Flush.

“The World Gaming festival is the ultimate destination for every gaming enthusiast in the country,” said Narinder Punj, managing director, High Street Cruises and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, which owns the offshore casino vessel.

“Once a participant has registered, all he has to do is sit back and prepare to get pampered.”

And pampered the gamer is likely to be, what with a jazz band, award-winning violinists, saxophonists, Spanish dancers, live commentators, champagne hostesses, and bubble acts accompanying his card skills on the gaming tables.

While the entry fee for the festival is Rs.1 lakh per head, Punj said the fee covers free return airfare, chauffeur driven luxury car with door to door pick and drop, five star accommodation, meals and transfers and entry to the hottest parties in Goa.

“Right from the time he reaches his city airport till the time he lands back in his city, everything will be handled by us,” he said.

Explaining the fine line between gaming and gambling, Punj said that when experts handle card games, luck takes a back seat.

“It’s gambling when there’s luck involved. When a game is based on skill and probabilities, it’s no longer gambling. These gamers who have come here are from the professional poker circuit.

“A lot of things come into play at such a professional gaming level. Gamers even come wearing sunglasses to the table, to ensure that their opponents do not catch their expressions,” Punj said.