Tinian to host another casino • Ambitious plan also includes creation of airline company to service international and local casino players

A Japanese company is all set to establish a casino hotel on the island-municipality of Tinian after it paid the $350,000 application and investigation fee to the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission a week ago.

Tokyo-based Kirino Consultants Inc. is also planning to set up a domestic and international airline firm to be based on Tinian to specifically service the firm’s casino customers as well as the local market.

TCGCC Chair Martin DLG. San Nicolas said Koichi Kirino, representative of the Japanese consulting firm, arrived in Tinian last week to discuss the investment plans with the Tinian Legislative Delegation.

Mr. San Nicolas said Kirino Consultants Inc. is also looking into the possibility of setting up a retirement home in partnership with other Japanese firms.

“They are really serious in their plans because they immediately made the necessary payments and surveyed the whole island first before discussing their plans with the local officials,” he said.

With the entry of Kirino Consultants in the casino business in Tinian, the gaming officials are now left with a difficult task of selecting who should get the remaining four casino licenses from the seven companies which have expressed interest in investing in the island.

Earlier, two casino hotel companies based in Taiwan visited Tinian recently and met with the local officials for possible casino investment in the island-municipality.

Due to the increase in visitor arrivals from Taiwan to Tinian, representatives from Sky Hawk Casino & Hotel and Pacific Casino & Hotel have expressed interest in joining the gaming industry in the island.

With the renewed interest of foreign investors to set up business in the island, the Commission started implementing its training program with the recent hiring of a consulting firm that will assist them in carrying out their regulatory functions.

The Commission has not given up on its plan to amend the Tinian Gaming Initiative Act to make it relevant amid the changes in the international gaming industry. For example, Tinian should consider allowing customers to play on credit to help entice international players to come to Tinian.

TCGCC has even hired a former member of the State Gaming Control Board in Nevada in drafting a regulatory audit plan and audit Tinian casino to ensure compliance with the Commission’s regulations.

Members of the Commission and local officials have visited Taipei, Hong Kong and Macau to familiarize themselves with casino operations there and better understand the needs of the industry.