The Commonwealth Casino Commission has voted to adopt regulations that will affect Saipan’s gaming industry. The commission met Friday March 27, 2015 to make a decision on Resolution No. 2015-001 or what is also called the Commonwealth Casino Commission Rules and Regulations. The regulations are going to include licensing of employees, collection of fees, and licensing for vendors as well as some other terms.
For the moment junket operator provisions are still pending. The regulations are coming into effect because the government needs financial help and they plan to get it through the casino fees that are charged for casinos as well as the licensing fees. Imperial Pacific International Holdings Ltd, a Hong Kong based company, is expected to first open a temporary casino and complete the first phase of a $7.1 billion mega casino on the island by the end of 2016.
The Northern Marianas Islands have been the focus of several proposals to build casinos in recent years. In April last year two companies deposited $1 million each to receive license applications. Currently the area is served by Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino in San Jose, on the island of Tinian.