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Tinian casino applies to reopen on Dec. 15
The Tinian casino has applied to reopen on Dec. 15 but this application is pending based on several wage, fee, and contract-related conditions, according to the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission.
“It’s not a solid date until we’ve received confirmation that they have met all the conditions that the commission has imposed on their reopening,” said commission executive director Lucy Blanco Maratita Sunday.
According to her, some of the conditions include:
Payment of table and slot machine fees and outstanding taxes from last fiscal year, starting in August. The casino has paid the $250,00 annual casino license fee, she said.
The casino needs to pay unpaid employee salaries or submits a plan on how they will repay on these employees’ back wages
The casino must assure that they will continue to contract services with Spectrum Gaming, a consultant, for casino management to help the casino maintain compliance
The casino has to make sure employee license or hotel registrations are up to date. Some of the employees have had provisional licenses, only good for a certain period. Maratita says the licenses need to be renewed.
The casino must identify and disclose the source of funds for its reopening.
The casino, if it reopens, will not be a 24-hour operation, Maratita said.
It will open from 11am to 3am the following morning, and close between those hours, except for Friday through Saturday, where they will be open for 24 hours.
The Tinian casino is operated by the Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino. It was closed in August this year, followed by the hotel’s closure in September, with the management citing the impact of Typhoon Soudelor, which hit Saipan on Aug. 3.
