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Regulators looking at license fees for ‘junket’ operators
The Commonwealth Casino Commission is eyeing to impose license fees on casino junket operators that may come into the CNMI.
Junket operators bring in a group of players to certain casinos and provide these players—often “high rollers”—with perks such as free accommodations and others.
Commission executive director Edward Deleon Guerrero said the panel will look into regulations and determine if junket operators can be considered “casino service providers’ and are thus subject to licensing.
Deleon Guerrero said the draft regulations that the commission uses does not include junket operators as service providers, but he said this can be one of the amendments that can be introduced.
Currently, the commission imposes license fees for casino employees, gaming tables, vendors, and gaming machines being used by Best Sunshine International Ltd.
BSI recently held a “soft opening” for a temporary casino in Garapan at the T Galleria.
Answering a query from regulators, Mark Brown, CEO of Best Sunshine said, he does not expect junket operators to come in this early. He said the operators could come in the new few months.
The Garapan casino is set for a full launch this week.
The commission last week authorized BSI to open the casino from 12nn to 12 midnight from Sunday to Thursday. By Friday until Saturday, it will be open until 2am. By Monday next week, operations will be for 24 hours.
