Casino commission to hold public hearing; will give updates on regs

The Commonwealth Casino Commission will hold a public hearing on Capital Hill this Friday and give an update on the casino regulations that the regulatory body has been working on.

According to commission chair Juan Sablan, the commission is “close” to drafting the casino regulations.

Sablan said the regulations and other updates were discussed during the commission’s regular meeting yesterday.

Commissioner Martin DLG. San Nicolas said the commission continues to consult with lawyers on the casino regulations.

The draft regulations will then be sent to the Governor’s Office and to the Office of the Attorney General.

Best Sunshine International, Ltd. will also get a copy of the approved regulations, San Nicolas said.

The casino commission has undergone preliminary training on casino management in preparation for the opening of Best Sunshine’s temporary “live” training facility at the T-Galleria in Garapan.

The “live” training facility mimics an actual casino and actual games will be played for tourists and visitors. As such, it is subject to regulations.

Sablan earlier said that members of the casino commission are set to fly to Las Vegas next month to continue training for the impending opening of a casino on Saipan.

The commissioners earlier this month flew to Las Vegas for a three-day training, according to Sablan.

He said the April training will be longer, and will take one week. He described the previous training as “intensive,” combining both on-campus and gaming floor training.

The five-man commission underwent training at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. They will be back in April to continue training, Sablan said.

According to its website, the University of Nevada in Las Vegas offers casino auditing and casino management to improve “casino controls, policies, and procedures.”

The commission last month completed the roster of commissioners, following an intense scrutiny of candidates.

Early this year, the commission bared plans to undergo the training off-island.

The Inos administration on March 6 signed an amended casino agreement with Best Sunshine International allowing Best Sunshine to set up a “live” training facility.

The establishment of the “live” training facility was not included in the original agreement between the government and Best Sunshine, as detailed in Public Law 18-56 or the Saipan casino law.

Like any casino, the facility will be subject to regulations by the casino commission. It is expected to be open to the public by June or July.