Rota casino

I have been a Saipan resident for the past 11 years and have seen many changes in these islands – some good, some bad. But the recent controversy regarding the gambling industry and the proposed opening of a new casino in Rota has prompted me to write.

On the one hand, we have Tinian where the opportunity to establish the casino industry was implemented by the people through a referendum in the early 1990. It was a very exciting time for the CNMI. It was a time where speculation and the promise of better things to come ran rampant. The buying and selling of land was fast paced and the dreams of making a quick buck was in everybody’s mind. Governing bodies such as the Tinian Gaming Commission was formed and numerous studies were undertaken to educate those not in the know. Stringent requirements to obtain a license and build casinos were put into place, in my opinion, haphazardly. For years, nothing was done and proposals came and went. It finally got to a point where proposals no longer came and the TGCC ended up looking for potential investors.

Then, a few years ago came the Lone Star Casino and with it many concessions to try to help it survive. Keep in mind, this period was during our lean years. Eventually, the casino folded and everybody concerned was left in the lurch. I suppose one could chalk it up to mismanagement and poor planning.

Finally, the Tinian Resort and Casino came to town and the $100 million Pearl of the Pacific was born, only this time, no one knew of the impending Asian Economic Crisis. I could go on and on and on but it all boils down to the same thing: mismanagement and poor planning.

One would think judging from my letter that I am anti-casino but this is far from the truth. I would like to consider myself a proponent of free enterprise and I wholeheartedly support the casino industry. However, if one is to succeed in business, proper planning and experienced management plays an extremely crucial part of any venture.

I personally have had the opportunity to meet with the potential investors for the proposed Rota Casino. They want to put up a first class casino with entertainment and water sport facilities in their resort. They want to create a holiday resort that can entertain the gamblers and families. One must realize that to open a casino, you must have casino management experience and more important, a very strong financial background for working and gambling capital and existing high rollers.

The only way to make a casino profitable is to let people know it exists. Proper marketing and management is essential to the livelihood to the casino industry. All over the world, there are gambling junkets that promise excitement in the most exotic and thrilling places. The people who coordinate these activities are called “Junket Masters”. They arrange for everything including a line of credit to make the junket one of the most enjoyable experiences of one’s life and their clients follow them everywhere in the world.

The people of Rota now have the opportunity to make a difference in their current lifestyle and economic future. People like Senator Cing wants the people of Rota to give the Tinian casino more time and to show cooperation to the people in Tinian.. I think we should let the people and leaders in Rota to decide their own future.
There should be a mutual respect among the islands. Besides, competition is healthy and an additional casino situated on another island creates a win-win situation for the CNMI as a whole because it gives people a choice.

Gamblers like to try their luck in all casinos everywhere if they can obtain credit from each casino. Both casinos can join hand in hand to promote their gaming industries and create additional air routes for both islands. It will also attract more tourists and investors in other areas and industries.

Rota’s proximity to Guam is advantageous considering Guam’s status as a hub (especially with Continental Airlines eliminating most of the direct flights to and from Saipan.) thereby making day trips to an island so close almost impossible to pass up. Let us not forget Rota’s golf course.

People of Rota, do what you feel is right for you, for your children and their future.

MICHAEL GEISINGER