"Not more than five off-shore casinos, including already existing two, would be allowed in the state," Goa Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane said.

The state Cabinet, which met this afternoon, discussed the issue of casino licensing and decided that even renewable fees for the existing off-shore casinos should be hiked from Rs one crore to Rs five crore per year.

Rane government had drawn flak from the Opposition parties when it released an advertisement stating that it would allow ten off-shore casinos in the state waters.

The Opposition parties in the state Legislature, including the BJP, had alleged that the government was trying to turn Goa into a ‘gamblers paradise’.

The state government had later clarified that it would allow only five off-shore casinos, including the two already operational.

"We are allowing a maximum of five casinos. Anybody can apply", Goa's Chief Secretary J P Singh said.

The state currently has two floating casinos -- one in north and another in south Goa. While one is anchored off-Panaji city in Mandovi river, another is in Sal river adjacent to a five star hotel.

"Imposing such an exorbitant fee would discourage flurry of off-shore casino operators in the state," Singh added.