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QC extended to Tinian, Rota casinos
Acting governor Ralph DLG Torres signed into law Friday a bill to extend the qualifying certificate program to the casinos on Tinian and Rota.
Public Law 19-23 amends the Commonwealth Code to allow qualifying certificates for “any business engaged in casino gambling activities conducted within its hotel-casino premises located in the senatorial districts of Tinian and Rota.”
Qualifying certificates remain ineligible for casinos on Saipan.
The bill originated in the Senate and is authored by Sen. Francisco M. Borja (Ind-Tinian).
The bill finds that the remote location of Tinian and Rota present an investment barrier.
“Tinian and Rota are even more difficult and expensive to access than Saipan. Given the increased costs of travel and goods on Tinian and Rota, the Legislature finds that financial incentives are required to encourage investment and development on Rota and Tinian,” the bill states.
Rota and Tinian have passed referenda in the past to establish casino gaming.
On Tinian, the issuance of a casino license is restricted to major hotel-casino complexes so that the casino industry would be connected to and promote the hospitality industry.
