TDHC closes casino operations

Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino temporarily closed its casino operations last Friday due to the inability of tour operators to sell its Tinian and Saipan destination tour package as a result of Typhoon Soudelor’s recent devastation of the CNMI.

The closure has caused hundreds of casino employees such as dealers, cages, VIP areas, and several other casino-related employees to be laid off.

One staffer who got laid off received the information last Friday afternoon after being told not to report to work.

“We only got one part of our salary and still have three delayed salaries and they laid us off,” she said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Saipan Tribune tried to contact Tinian Dynasty officials by telephone or email but they have yet to respond to queries as of press time.

It was learned that only the casino would temporarily close. The hotel and restaurant operations will continue.

Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission executive director Lucia Blanco-Maratita said the commission granted on Friday, Aug. 14, the request of Tinian Dynasty owner, Hong Kong Entertainment (Overseas) Ltd., to revise its operation hours, temporarily suspending casino operations for about three weeks beginning last Friday.

Maratita said that according to HKE, the recent typhoon has had a severe impact on its ability to bring gaming patrons to the casino since tourists are unable to get to Saipan.

“In the past, charter flights from China have all been coming to Saipan during the night with either a layover in Saipan or the tourists have been shuttled directly to Tinian upon arrival,” Maratita said.

“TCGCC order authorizes Dynasty to temporarily suspend its casino operations for three weeks [until Sept. 4, 2015] and includes conditions that Dynasty must abide by. In the meantime, TCGCC continues to process the various casino license applications, including those from the Tinian Ent. Co./Chinese Strategic Holdings Ltd., the Alter City Group and the Bridge Investment Group,” she added.

According to Tinian Mayor Joey P. San Nicolas, he had met with representatives of Hong Kong Entertainment and Spectrum Gaming, HKE’s casino operation consultants and confirmed the temporary closure.

Charter flights not being able to land on Saipan for scheduled night arrivals because of the airport’s limited daytime-only operational hours was part of the reason Tinian Dynasty had to close its casino operations.

However, the Commonwealth Ports Authority informed Saipan Tribune yesterday that night flights will resume today, Aug. 17, after 6am.

San Nicolas has requested to meet with Tinian Dynasty officials to discuss the temporary closure of the casino and how it would affect the community, most especially the employees.

In a statement, San Nicolas said that revenues generated by the casino operations has been a lifeline for many people who rely on Tinian Dynasty for employment or whose employment with the municipality is supported by casino revenues.

San Nicolas questioned what HKE’s plans were to alleviate the burden on Tinian Dynasty employees.

According to San Nicolas, Tinian Dynasty’s acting hotel and casino manager Chris Bishop informed him that they will provide employees free lodging and meals in the interim and also said that Tinian Dynasty “will be paying employees one pay period this Friday, Aug. 21.

“They are currently working to get caught up with all pay periods within the coming weeks,” San Nicolas said.

Over a month ago, the TCGCC entered into a memorandum of understanding with HKE and Tinian Ent. Co.

“TCGCC and HKE will work cooperatively toward the goal of reopening the casino operations and in the interim, execute a temporary closure plan that will maintain the integrity of the industry in the interim,” San Nicolas said.

He said his main concern is to ensure that he is able to meet the municipality’s payroll obligations, including TCGCC’s personnel cost and the ability to deliver essential supplemental assistance such as medical referral.

“It is my responsibility to ensure that we have the ability to pay our employees and to continue providing essential services. Revenue from the casino allows me to do that. It is my hope that this closure is temporary. I ask those who will be directly and greatly impacted by this for their patience,” he said.