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IF LOTTERY COMMISSION FINALIZES EXTENSION
CCC: IPI deadline non-issue…
The Commonwealth Casino Commission convened yesterday at the Joeten -Kiyu Public Library conference room. (Erwin Encinares)
The Commonwealth Casino Commission noted yesterday that the deadline for the construction of the Imperial Pacific Resort in Garapan would only become an issue if a decision to extend that deadline or not isn’t finalized by the end of today.
Commenting on the Lottery Commission’s decision to recess to further negotiate the extension parameters, commission executive director Edward Deleon Guerrero noted that the deadline would only be an issue if not extended by the end of today.
The Lottery Commission has been meeting to discuss the deadline extension request of Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC’s casino resort in Garapan, which was supposed to be fully operational by the end of today. It was earlier reported that IPI now wants the deadline pushed to Aug. 31, 2020.
“…If they [IPI] do not finish by [today], and they do not get an extension, they are in trouble,” Deleon Guerrero said.
Referring to that “trouble,” Deleon Guerrero said that would happen “if IPI is not in compliance with the terms of agreement in the casino license agreement, or CLA. …What those sanctions would be, we would address later.”
Deleon Guerrero later noted that, in the case of a violation of the CLA, the casino commission is authorized to: do nothing; warn the licensee; impose sanctions; or even revoke license.
Based on the approved sixth amendment to the CLA, today marks the final day for the completion of the IPI casino resort.
Deleon Guerrero emphasized yesterday that not extending the deadline would only be an issue if it’s not finalized by the end of the day. He noted that the casino commission has to similarly amend their regulations to reflect the new amendments to the CLA as finalized by the Lottery Commission.
“…If the Lottery Commission grants the extension by the end of [Friday], that issue would be resolved,” he said, adding that the casino commission would “quickly resolve it because the original violation would be moot.”
“If the Lottery Commission [doesn’t amend the CLA], then the casino commission would need to meet to discuss…the possible actions to take,” he added.
