Deltin Royale

What Deltin Royale is and where it is

Deltin Royale is a floating casino stationed on the river Mandovi in Goa, India. It covers over 50,000 square feet and holds more than 970 gaming positions, making it one of the largest offshore casinos in Asia¹. The vessel is owned by Delta Pleasure Cruise Co. Pvt. Ltd. and appears on the Goa government's official list of licensed offshore casinos⁴.

The casino is permanently moored. It does not sail or cruise along the river. Guests are taken to and from the vessel by a feeder boat from the boarding jetty⁵. This is worth knowing if you have never visited an offshore casino in Goa before: you are not booking a river cruise, you are visiting a stationary gaming floor that happens to float.

Deltin Royale is part of the wider Deltin group, which operates several casinos across India. The group's other Goa properties include Deltin JAQK, another offshore vessel on the Mandovi, and Deltin Suites Casino, an onshore casino in Nerul. If you are comparing options, Deltin Royale is the largest of the three, with Deltin JAQK holding over 430 gaming positions and Deltin Suites Casino holding over 60⁶.

The casino is open 24 hours a day, every day¹. There is no closing time to plan around, though the daytime and evening sessions have different packages and different atmospheres.

Getting there: boarding points and feeder boat

Because Deltin Royale is moored on the river rather than on land, getting there involves a short boat ride. The casino operates a feeder boat service that shuttles guests between the boarding jetty and the vessel⁵.

The main boarding point is the VIP Jetty. Deltin Suites, the group's onshore property in Nerul, is located close to this jetty and is about 10 minutes from Candolim and Calangute beaches⁷. If you are staying in the northern beach belt, the jetty is a short taxi ride away.

Here is what to expect on arrival:

1. Arrive at the boarding jetty with your ID and your entry package confirmation.
2. Check in at the counter. This is where you receive your OTPC (One-Time Playing Coupon)¹.
3. Board the feeder boat for the short transfer to the vessel.
4. Enter the casino and head to the gaming floor, restaurants or Skybar as you prefer.

The feeder boat runs in connection with the casino's operating hours, so you can board at any time of day or night. If you are arriving late at night, it is worth calling ahead on +91 98196 98196 to confirm boat timings, since these can vary with weather and river conditions¹.

For daytime visitors, Deltin Royale offers a free drop-off within 5 km before 6:00 PM as part of the daytime gaming package⁶. That covers most of the northern beach belt, including Candolim and Calangute.

Entry packages: ₹4,400 onwards and what they include

Entry to Deltin Royale works on a package basis. You pay a single entry fee, and in return you receive an OTPC with a play value that you can use on the gaming floor.

The standard entry package starts at ₹4,400⁶. The OTPC that comes with your package has a play value of ₹2,000 or ₹1,000, depending on which package you choose¹. The coupon is handed over at check-in and can be used once on selected games. It is convertible to cash chips and can be encashed¹.

For comparison, here is how entry to the three Deltin Goa properties stacks up:

Deltin Royale is the premium option of the three.

Daytime gaming packages run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and include complimentary entry offers⁶. During daytime sessions, the casino also holds daily lucky draws with prizes worth 1 lakh NNPC (Non-Negotiable Play Coupons)⁶. If you are visiting during the day, you get the same gaming floor with a quieter atmosphere and the chance at the lucky draw.

A few practical points about the package system:

• The entry fee is not a deposit. It buys your package, which includes the OTPC.
• The OTPC is a one-time coupon. Once you have used it on a game, it is done.
• NNPCs (Non-Negotiable Play Coupons) won in lucky draws cannot be exchanged for cash. They are for play only.
• Entry packages for children and infants are limited, though children under 12 cannot enter the property at all².

If you are a member of the Deltin Select loyalty program, complimentary entry to Deltin Royale is valid for six months³. The management reserves the right of entry for members, so a complimentary pass does not guarantee admission on a busy night.

Who can enter: age, vaccination and children rules

The age rules at Deltin Royale have two layers, and it is worth understanding both before you travel.

First, the property itself. Children and anyone below the age of 12 are not allowed to enter the property¹. This is a firm rule with no exceptions for the casino floor.

Second, the gaming floor. Guests below 21 are not permitted to enter the gaming floors². Alcohol is also served only to guests aged 21 and above⁶. So even if you are old enough to be on the vessel, you cannot play or drink unless you are 21 or older.

For guests aged 12 and above who are not playing, the Skybar at Deltin Royale is open to them². The Skybar is closed during monsoon season and during private bookings⁵. There is also a Children's Room on board, open from 3:30 PM to 5:00 AM, with admission on a first-come, first-served basis. A female guardian must accompany the child⁷.

On vaccination: entry is permitted to guests with a final vaccination certificate. Partially vaccinated guests, or those below 18 years of age, may enter with an RT-PCR negative report from a sample collected within 72 hours of check-in². Wearing a mask is mandatory². These rules were introduced during the Covid-19 period and may be relaxed or removed over time, so it is worth confirming current requirements when you book.

For identification, an original and valid government-issued photo ID is required at all Deltin properties. A passport is a must for all international guests. A PAN card is mandatory for tournament registration⁵. If you are a visitor to India, bring your passport. If you are an Indian citizen or resident, a driving license, passport or other government-issued photo ID will work.

Dress code for men and women

Deltin enforces a dress code at all its properties, and Deltin Royale is no exception. The rules differ for men and women.

For men, the dress code is formal or smart casual. Shorts, sleeveless T-shirts, flip-flops, track pants and chappals are not permitted³. If you turn up in beach wear, you will be turned away at the jetty. This catches out visitors who are staying at nearby beach resorts and assume they can walk straight from the sand to the casino.

For women, appropriate evening wear is recommended². The casino does not publish a detailed list of prohibited items for women, but the general standard is smart and presentable.

A practical way to think about it: dress as you would for a nice dinner at a hotel restaurant. For men, that means trousers or smart jeans, a collared shirt or a smart T-shirt with sleeves, and closed shoes. For women, a dress, a smart top with trousers or a skirt, and comfortable shoes you can wear on a boat.

The feeder boat transfer is short, but you will be stepping on and off a vessel, so footwear matters. Heels are fine, but avoid anything you cannot walk in on a moving boat.

Games and the poker room: 970+ gaming positions

Deltin Royale holds over 970 gaming positions across its floor¹. The range of games covers both international table games and Indian favorites.

The games offered include Texas Hold'Em Poker, Roulette, Indian Flush (Teen Patti), Baccarat, Blackjack, Casino War, 7 Up 7 Down, 3 Card Poker, 5 Card Poker, Mini Flush, Andar Bahar, Money Wheel, Texas House Poker, Sic Bo and Dragon Tiger¹.

If you are new to Indian casino games, Teen Patti (Indian Flush) and Andar Bahar are the two you will see most often. Teen Patti is a three-card game similar in spirit to poker, and Andar Bahar is a simple betting game where you wager on which side a matching card will appear. Both are easy to pick up by watching a round or two. For a fuller explanation of the table games you will find in Indian casinos, see Table Games in Indian Casinos.

The poker room at Deltin Royale is the largest dedicated poker room in Goa⁸. It is open 24 hours a day⁸. If poker is your main reason for visiting, this is the property to choose. The room has a dedicated cashier's desk, restrooms and a smoking room⁸. Tableside massage services are also available⁸.

Deltin JAQK also has a dedicated card room in Goa⁸, but it is smaller. If you want the widest choice of tables and stakes, Deltin Royale is the better option.

Food, drinks and entertainment hours

Deltin Royale has two main dining and drinking venues: the Vegas Restaurant and the Sky Bar⁷. Both are on board the vessel.

On weekdays (Monday to Thursday), the hours are:

• Bar: 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM¹
• Buffet: 8:30 PM to 1:00 AM¹
• Live counter: 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM¹
• Live entertainment: from 9:00 PM onwards¹

These are weekday hours. Weekend hours may run later, and the casino does not publish a separate weekend schedule on its main page. If you are planning to eat late, it is worth calling ahead to confirm.

On the gaming floor itself, drinks and light snacks are served exclusively at the gaming tables¹. You cannot walk up to a bar on the gaming floor and order directly. If you want a drink away from the tables, head to the Sky Bar or the Vegas Restaurant.

The Sky Bar is also where guests aged 12 and above can go². It is closed during monsoon season and during private bookings⁵, so if you are visiting between June and September, check whether it is open.

House rules on the gaming floor

A few practical rules apply once you are on the gaming floor.

Drinks are served at the tables, not from a bar¹. Servers come around the gaming floor, so drinks are ordered from them at the table rather than fetched from a bar.

The casino operates 24/7¹, so there is no last call or closing rush. You can play through the night and take a break whenever you like.

Smoking is permitted in a designated smoking room⁸. If you are sensitive to smoke, the main floor may be uncomfortable, but the smoking room contains the worst of it.

The casino does not publish a specific policy on intoxicated guests. In practice, security staff can refuse entry or ask a guest to leave if they appear drunk. Alcohol is served only to guests aged 21 and above⁶, and staff are trained to monitor consumption. If you are asked to leave, the feeder boat will take you back to the jetty.

For anyone planning a longer session, the casino has a dedicated cashier's desk and restrooms on the gaming floor⁸. Tableside massage services are available if you want a break without leaving your seat⁸.

If you are comparing Deltin Royale with other casinos in the region, the Goa Casinos and River Cruises guide covers the full list of offshore and onshore options. For the wider picture on what is legal and who can play, see Can I Gamble in India? and Casinos in India: Who Can Go In.