Posted inOperations

In conversation with Anil Malani, CEO, Deltin

Anil Malani shares insights of Deltin and its journey so far

Anil Malani, CEO, Deltin.

1.     Can you please take us through the journey of Deltin since inception?

The brand ‘Deltin’ was created by Jaydev Mody in 2012; however, our operations had begun with one casino in 2008 and subsequently the brand has grown manifold over the years. â€˜DELTIN’ is currently India’s leader in luxury gaming, entertainment & hospitality; owned by Delta Corp Limited (DCL), a leading publicly listed company. There are currently three offshore casinos in Goa – Deltin Royale, Deltin Jaqk and Deltin Caravela (renamed as Kings Casino); these are amongst the country’s largest offshore luxury gaming and entertainment destinations. Then we have four of India’s best land-based casinos, starting with â€˜Deltin Zuri’ at The Zuri White Sand Resorts in South Goa, Deltin Denzong at Hotel ITC Denzong Regency in Sikkim, Deltin Casino International in Kathmandu Marriott Hotel, Nepal and Deltin Suites Casino part of Hotel Deltin Suites in Goa.

Also, Deltin owns two 5-star hotels – Deltin Suites, a 106 room, all-suite hotel with a casino and The Deltin, a 176 room five-star hotel in Daman, which is an integrated resort with a proposed casino. All the company’s casinos and hotel properties fall under the umbrella ‘Deltin’ brand, delivering the signature â€˜Deltin’ experience at every location.

What sets Deltin apart is its timely acquisition of gaming licenses and investments in the development of top-notch gaming and hospitality infrastructure, in the form of offshore vessels, onshore casinos as well as five-star hotels.  The brand has brought quality gaming to India, at par with Vegas and Macau, and is the pioneer in putting India on the map for gaming and entertainment.

2.     What is your perspective on the recent merger of Deltin with The Zuri White Sand Resorts in South Goa.

It can’t be termed as a merger. ‘Deltin’ recently took the operational handover of the in-house casino at The Zuri White Sand Resorts in South Goa and the new casino is named ‘Deltin Zuri’, offering the same world class services and experiences which Deltin is known for. ‘Deltin Zuri, being the only casino in the South Goa district, has added a landmark live gaming and entertainment destination for the tourists and visitors in South Goa to take back home remarkable memories.

3.     Since Goa has a sound footfall of tourists from across the nation and even overseas, what are your expectations for the very first casino of South Goa?

We are thrilled to begin operations of our seventh casino with Deltin Zuri and are excited to welcome all the guests and gaming enthusiasts. Goa is a city-state which is always brimming with exciting tourist destinations, places offering delectable cuisine and unlimited entertainment for all. Celebrating this spirit of Goa, with ‘Deltin Zuri’, we aim to offer a regal yet intriguing gaming experience surrounded by the pristine beaches and lush scenery. ‘Deltin Zuri’ is the only luxury gaming destination in the picturesque South Goa district.

4.     Are any events/activities scheduled at ‘Deltin Zuri’ that the guests can look forward to? Can you share a few details on the same?

Deltin is known for its signature experiences, which is an interesting mix of thrill, live entertainment, luxury gaming, specially curated cuisines and great service. This makes ‘Deltin Zuri’ a one-stop destination for casino lovers in South Goa. We will be rolling out exciting events comprising of live entertainment, delicious cuisines and finely curated beverages for our guests to make their Goa sojourn a non-forgettable one.

5.     How are you planning to provide a unique blend of hospitality and entertainment at Deltin Zuri?

‘Deltin’ delivers a unique blend of offering which is a mix of thrill, energy, entertainment, food & beverages and great service. Our patrons belong to various segments: some seek the thrill of live gaming, some visit for the experience, some for our gourmet cuisine and some just want to have fun. We cater to everyone’s desire with our finest offerings and service. The demographics vary as per the segment of the consumer but our guests represent men, women and family of varied age groups from different parts of India. The ‘Deltin’ experience, that is our class and our strong connect with our patrons, is something that they love about us.

Also, ‘The Zuri White Sands’ is a much sought-after luxury beach resort situated at Varca. Spread across 37 acres, the resort is indeed a paradise, replete with a long pool, spectacular sea-facing Goan-style luxury rooms and a wide gamut of cuisine, ranging from authentic Goan to European and Pan-Asian cuisine. The resort is adorned with sophisticated rooms and suites that would offer luxury for Indians and tourists that hope to enjoy the perfect mix of pleasure and gaming.

6.     What are the growth prospects of leisure travel in India post covid and How Deltin is staying ahead of the curve?

Indian leisure travel is experiencing a huge pent-up demand. As the second lockdown receded from the picture, people were yearning to step away from their work routines, put their feet up and have a good time. Casinos are a key element in this tourism hotbed. In the post-pandemic scenario, we have been cautiously optimistic that this momentum would sustain in the future as well.

When it comes to our operations, we already are present in all tourism hubs (where casino gaming is allowed) that can become quick weekend getaway destinations, where people can relax, rejuvenate, play games and come back refreshed to work at the start of the week. Apart from the various games offered, we also offer a wide variety of entertainment, exquisite cocktails & mocktails and imported spirits with world class cuisine; making the casino a must visit destination for all tourists. The casino provides you with a great evening out even if you don’t want to game.

Deltin has moved quickly and in sync with all of the Government norms, coming out of the pandemic stronger. We have already hit the pre pandemic figures in our overall functioning.

7.     What are the future plans of Deltin group as the tourism industry is evolving rapidly post covid?

The gaming industry in India is nascent, but has been growing astronomically. With the country making rapid strides in economic progress and with the wave of urbanisation, the demand for luxury gaming, entertainment and hospitality is only northbound. At present, the only states in India where live gaming(casinos) is allowed are Goa and Sikkim (proposed in Daman, subject to regulatory approvals). In each of these gaming destinations, Deltin has already established a dominating presence.

On a short-term perspective, Deltin will continue growing its business and take it to the next level with a growing healthy income stream, backed by a robust growth in the gaming market in India.

In the long-term Delta Corp is coming up with a dream project, i.e., an integrated Resort project in Goa spread across 100-Acre land, for which we have received in-principal approval from the Investment & Promotion Board. This will be one-of-its kind integrated resort having facilities like 5-Star Hotels, an electronic casino, theme park, shopping mall, gaming zones, and an array of other family recreational activities. The Integrated Resort will enable Goa to attract an even wider traveller base. This will attract International Tourists that are attracted towards the IR concept coupled with the idea of visiting India for its culture and heritage; and Indian tourists, typically the outbound travellers, who flock to popular IRs in South East Asia. Also, an existing offshore casino vessel, Deltin Caravela, will be replaced with a much bigger vessel which will be unique and better than any casino people have experienced in India so far, the vessel is scheduled to be in river Mandovi in Goa by 2024.