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Hunter questions opening of Garapan casino
An opinion of the CNMI Attorney General is being sought regarding the opening of a live training casino inside the T Galleria in Garapan.
CNMI resident Glen Hunter wrote a letter “to formally notify” Attorney General Edward Manibusan of “what I believe has been a public declaration of private company’s intent to violate CNMI law.”
In the letter dated yesterday, Hunter said the “live casino” will be opened inside a shopping center rather than an integrated resort, as required by Public Law 18-56.
Hunter said to his knowledge, P.L. 18-56, which also requires the exclusive casino license holder to set up an “initial investment of $2 billion, to include a casino and a 2,000-room resort,” has not been “altered or changed.”
“I humbly ask the AG to look into this matter and uphold CNMI law by instructing BSI to abide by the law and make the statutory initial investment of $2 billion prior to attempting to operate a live casino on the island of Saipan,” he said.
Hunter added that he “hopes that any attempt to violate local law be met with a cease and desist order.”
“Our people have voted twice against casino gambling. Our representatives recently disregarded the past votes in order to legalize casino gaming on Saipan. Their rationale was based on the new development and new investment of $2 billion.”
Gaming regulators earlier approved new regulations to allow Best Sunshine International, Ltd. to open a “live training facility” inside the T Galleria while the company constructs a hotel and resort in a nearby lot.
The “live training facility” is essentially a casino that will operate until BSI opens the hotel and casino, also in Garapan.
Viola Alepuyo, one of the legal counsels of BSI, said as far as she knows, BSI is not aware of Hunter’s letter.
She also declined to comment on the opening of the live training casino in Garapan.
