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Rota delegation chair wants update on island’s casino operations
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Posted on Jul 19 2011
Sen. Juan Ayuyu (Ind-Rota) has asked the Rota Gaming Commission for an update on the operations of Nature Treasure Islands and Rota Resort.
In a July 8 letter to Rota Gaming Commission chair Laura Manglona, Ayuyu requested that ne given information on the “timelines, contracts, and other relevant information” on the two properties.
The chair of the Rota Legislative Delegation said “especially during these tough economic times, it is important for us to apply stringent measures to all government activities.”
Ayuyu said Manglona’s report should include the plan of action that the Rota Gaming Commission has regarding the two properties, adding that once the delegation received the necessary information, “the leadership will be better able to pursue the best course of action for both properties and the island of Rota.”
The delegation chair also asked Manglona for the Rota Gaming Commission’s position on the Saipan casino bill. “ I have previously requested this from the commission, but have yet to receive it. As this is a timely topic, I would like to get the commission’s position on the Saipan casino [bill] as soon as possible.”
Nature Treasure Island has been temporarily closed since March 25 but may reopen if and when it successfully gets clients from Japan, Guam, and Saipan, among other things.
The casino operation, which is at the Rota Hotel, is the only holder of a license to operate a casino on Rota, albeit a temporary one at this time.
Nature Treasure Island Casino had expected a surge of players scheduled in March and April but because of the March 11 Japan quake and tsunami, their expected casino players from Japan either postponed or cancelled their trip to Rota. A charter flight from Japan to Rota was also cancelled after the Japan disasters.
A second group of investors-SNM Corp., which owns Rota Resort and Country Club, has also paid the $150,000 investigation fee to the Rota Casino Gaming Commission as part of their application for a license to operate a casino.
Unlike Saipan voters, Rota and Tinian voters approved casino gambling on their islands.
