In the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Imperial Pacific International Holdings Limited has reportedly been given until the end of February of 2021 to fully inaugurate the first phase of its giant Imperial Palace Saipan integrated casino resort.

Operator granted 42-month extension:

According to a report from Radio New Zealand, the Hong Kong-listed casino operator received the 42-month extension from the American territory’s Lottery Commission after last week saw it reveal that it was not going to be able to meet a previous government-mandated August 31 deadline.

Casino license contingent upon hitting deadline:

Imperial Pacific International Holdings Limited began welcoming gamblers to the $650 million Saipan venue to enjoy a selection of some 350 slots and 200 gaming tables in July of 2017. But, a deal inked with the local Lottery Commission three months prior made the license for this first-phase opening contingent upon the property’s 350-room hotel being fully operational by the end of last month.

However, the operator explained last week in applying for an extension that work on its Imperial Palace Saipan had fallen behind schedule due to a lack of skilled construction workers caused by delays in the issuance of new immigration and labor laws.

Further conditions added:

In exchange for being granted the extension, Imperial Pacific International Holdings Limited has agreed to make a donation of $500,000 to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, which runs the territory’s sole hospital, and shell out $5,000 for every subsequent day of delay.

Operator said to be making ‘progress’:

According to a subsequent piece from the Marianas Variety newspaper, Friday saw officials from the Commonwealth Casino Commission declare that the operator had made ‘progress’ in completing the construction of 15 external Imperial Palace Saipan villas.

But, Juan Sablan, Chairman for the Commonwealth Casino Commission reportedly stated that Imperial Pacific International Holdings Limited should speed work up by initiating an around-the-clock schedule.

Sablan to Marianas Variety…

“There’s still a lot of work that needs to be done.”