In the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the boss for beleaguered casino operator Imperial Pacific International Holdings Limited has reportedly expressed his indifference concerning China’s ‘blacklist’ of overseas tourist destinations.

According to a report from Inside Asian Gaming, Donald Browne serves as Chief Executive Officer for the operator behind the temporarily-shuttered Imperial Palace Saipan venue and he reportedly told local officials that the looming proscription for gambling-friendly locales thought to include Australia, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines ‘has nothing to do’ with his company. The source detailed that China’s Culture and Tourism Ministry established the ‘blacklist’ in August in an attempt to bolster the domestic tourism market and help stop funds flowing out of the giant country.

Hesitant hunch:

Although the composition of this foreign destination ‘blacklist’ has yet to be officially revealed, suspicion reportedly abounds that the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands could be involved, which would subject Chinese nationals travelling to the American territory for the purposes of gambling to a range of strict capital outflow protocols.

Considered coolness:

However, Browne reportedly told Edward Deleon Guerrero, Chairman for the Commonwealth Casino Commission, that China decided to institute the ‘blacklist’ because it is especially concerned about the wiring of domestic cash overseas. As such and he purportedly proclaimed that ‘it really has nothing to do with us because there was already gambling here before.’

Browne reportedly asserted…

“China wouldn’t make the determination to place the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands on a ‘blacklist’ just based on these things.”

Authority apprehension:

The impressive Imperial Palace Saipan development was reportedly especially popular with Chinese gamblers prior to its coronavirus-related shuttering in March and Guerrero is said to be concerned that Beijing’s move may further damage Imperial Pacific International Holdings Limited. The Hong Kong-headquartered firm is already struggling to pay its employees and is facing the prospect of having its Saipan casino license revoked if it cannot begin meeting its financial obligations to a plethora of local vendors.