On the heels of a construction fatality and federal charges being filed against contractors at the company’s Imperial Pacific Resort – Imperial Pacific International Holdings Limited, now says it is ready to open as soon as they receive occupancy permits.

According to reports in local media, casino table games director Scott Morrow announced Friday that the company is ready to begin welcoming guests to Phase I of the $500 million Imperial Pacific Resort once necessary clearances and permits are in hand.

In recent days the 140,000 sq ft gaming space that will eventually house 34 mass gaming tables, 198 slot machines, and 38 VIP gaming tables has been getting its final touches.

Reporters were given a tour of the facility before the weekend and Morrow told media:
“We’re excited to get things started. We’re waiting for the final permits and as soon as we receive it, we’re going to make an announcement,” he added, “Our team is excited and ready. We’re excited to get things started and welcome our guests at the front door.”

The casino will initially open with “mixed” mass and VIP gaming according to the reports. Phase II, which will include VIP gaming in the 14th floor Sky Casino and a beach club casino lounge should open within a couple of months once they have the go-ahead.

“Phase II, level II is going to be our VIP area that is the core of our business. In the future, [this space] will be for our mass gaming floor only,” said Morrow.

In other Saipan casino news, on April 1, 2017 the FBI issued a statement announcing that an arrest had been made involving the death of a construction worker at the Imperial Pacific Resort who reportedly fell from scaffolding on March 23.

Special agents reportedly found 189 Chinese passports during a search of a Garapan office building Thursday connected to the resort.

Project manager Yuqing Zhao, of MCC International Saipan Ltd., a contractor for the project and MCC electrician Pei Ruan, for were reportedly charged in court today for harboring certain aliens.

IPI issued a statement to day that read: “Imperial Pacific International has not received any Notice of Investigation from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“This statement is issued in the light of a statement issued on April 1, 2017 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“No employee of Imperial Pacific International has been arrested.

“Based on information available, the search and arrest was made against certain construction contractors and sub-contractors involved in the construction project in Garapan.

“Imperial Pacific has paid construction contractors requisite fees for processing needed applications for workers to work on the construction project.

“Imperial Pacific will continue to implement measures and consider additional measures to ensure compliance with federal and local laws and regulations and to fulfill its contractual commitment to the community.”