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Tinian Dynasty leads campaign for ratification of revised gaming law By MAR-VIC CAGURANGAN
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Posted on Nov 03 1999
The Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino is leading the campaign for ratification of a popular initiative that proposes to revise Tinian’s casino gaming law.
The revision of Tinian Casino Gaming Act of 1989 is among the issues involved in the referendum which goes along with elections of officials on Saturday.
The Revised Gaming Law, proposed by the Tinian municipal government, slackens the restrictions imposed on casino operators. It will be presented only to Tinian and Aguiguan voters.
In an open letter to the voters, the executives of Tinian Dynasty said the proposed revisions to the gaming law “have been discussed, debated analyzed and agreed upon” by the Tinian leadership, the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission and the Mayor’s Economic and Transportation Task Force.
“The proposed amendments are essential for the development of the gaming industry on Tinian,” the hotel executives said. (See campaign advertisement in this issue) “To say No to these amendments is to say No to development and growth for the island, its people and the gaming industry.”
Among the salient features of the Revised Gaming Law are the following:
• Reduction of license application fee from $200,000 to $5,000. The annual license fee is also reduced from $500,000 to $50,000;
• Reduction of age requirement for gambling patrons from 21 to 18 years old;
• Allowing casino employees to accept tips or gratuity from patrons;
• Allowing a casino operator to employ barkers or shills;
• Tax break for casino marketing and promotions;
• Lowering of gross revenue tax imposed on casino operators, from 12 percent to 8t percent; and
• Raising the term of the commissioner of the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission from one to two years.
Tinian Dynasty said the proposed amendments to Tinian Gaming Law are “attractive to foreign investments.”
