Inos: TGCC should speed up review of Mega Stars’ application

Gov. Eloy S. Inos is urging the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission to expedite its review of Mega Stars Overseas Ltd.’s license application to take over and run the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino.

TCGCC executive director Lucia Blanco-Maratita said last week that it has given Gaming Integrated Services up to 120 days to review the license application of the Hong Kong-based investor.

However, the four-month wait has yet to start, as TCGCC and Gaming Integrated Services can still ask for more documents from Mega Stars and only once they’re submitted that is when the 120-day clock actually starts.

“I cannot really comment because that’s run by the Tinian Gaming Control Commission and is separate from the Commonwealth Gaming Commission and it’s outside the oversight of the CNMI government. But I just wish that they expedite that so that once and for all the investors will know how they will proceed. I think it’s just taking too long,” Inos said yesterday after the swearing in of Saipan Mayor Marian Deleon Guerrero Tudela at Coral Ocean Point Resort.

He said it is his understanding that Michael Kwan’s group still has the valid casino license to run Tinian Dynasty and that Mega Stars Overseas is operating under that license.

“They’re applied for their own and that’s the issue right now if they can have that approval. So they have this 120-day window for them supply the additional information. Then again I just wish that all things are accelerated so they all know where they stand. Most especially if things look favorable the license is granted so the Mega [Stars Overseas] folks can do what they plan to do, which is to generate more activity, generate more revenue.”

As for the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation wanting to hold a public hearing before confirming his nominees for the Casino Commission, Inos said he is OK with that.

“That’s fine. Again, a lot of these things are time-sensitive. If they want to do the public hearing, let’s get it on because time is running out. At this point the Lottery Commission is required under law to make the award and that’s by July 19. That means immediately after the end of the Lottery Commission, the Gaming Commission will take over from that point on. So it’s important that we have the Gaming Commission in place by that time.”

Inos said he also supports the Attorney General Office’s decision to beg off from representing the Legislature in Glenn Hunter’s lawsuit against the CNMI government with regards to the passage of the Saipan casino law.

“The attorney general said no. I believe certain members of the Legislature are defendants on that thing. They would need to have their own representation individually or as a member of the Legislature. For the purpose of that case, the governor is a defendant both in his personal and official capacity and the attorney general makes that representation.”

Inos also said that if a legislative initiative to abolish the Saipan casino law is approved and the vote in November goes against the statute, then he has no choice but respect the will of the people and that means no casino on the island.

“If the votes are there, that’s it. Once the vote is in favor of the referendum, which is to nullify the statute, that’s it. The statute is null and void.”

Inos added there’s no need to bring it up to the courts because the result of the would-be referendum against the Saipan casino bill is final and is not subject for court review.