Previous Story
Entry of new Tinian casino nears
|
Posted on Jan 23 2001
TINIAN — The Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission is wrapping up its financial and background investigation of Tokyo-based Kirino Consultants, the Japanese firm which has expressed interest in establishing another casino on the island.
TCGCC Executive Director Esther H. Barr said a licensing hearing will also be conducted to determine the suitability of the project. Commission investigators recently went to Japan to gather all the documents needed in the background investigation.
Kirino Consultants already paid the $350,000 application and investigation fee to TCGCC last year so that work can begin immediately on the planned investment.
The Japanese firm is planning to set up a domestic and international airline company to be based in Tinian to specifically service its casino customers as well as the local market on the two other islands.
Koichi Kirino, representative of the Japanese consultancy firm, has met with the Tinian Legislative Delegation and TCGCC officials to discuss the plans of the company.
TCGCC Chair Martin San Nicolas said Kirino Consultants is looking into the possibility of setting up a retirement home in partnership with other Japanese firms.
With the entry of Kirino Consultants in the casino business in Tinian, the gaming officials are now left with a difficult task of selecting the four other companies which would get the casino licenses. At least from seven companies have already expressed interest in investing on the island.
Earlier, two hotel casino companies based in Taiwan visited Tinian and met with the local officials for possible casino investment on the island-municipality.
In a move to make the Tinian Gaming Initiative Act relevant to the changes in the international gaming industry, the Commission is planning to introduce the necessary changes through a referendum.
With the renewed interest of foreign investors to set up business on the island, the Commission has started implementing its training program with the recent hiring of a consultancy firm that will assist them in carrying out their regulatory functions. (Lindablue F. Romero)
