Gaming body wants hand in floating casino talks

The Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission has clamored for its involvement in the negotiations between government officials and Florida-based investors on the proposed establishment of a floating casino business in the CNMI.

Acting TCGCC Chair William M. Cing said the commission should have been invited in the discussion between Commonwealth officials and representatives of SunCruz Casinos, the company that proposed to bring into the CNMI the floating gaming facility.

“Since we are the only regulatory body in the Marianas for casino operations, it would make sense to invite us to participate in the discussions with SunCruz,” said Mr. Cing in a media statement.

Tinian is currently the only senatorial district in the Northern Marianas that allows and regulates casino gaming. By an astounding 90 percent vote count in 1989, Tinian voters approved through a Local Initiative the establishment of the industry on Tinian.

“Our mandate as commissioners for this industry is to foster and implement policy for the gaming activities on Tinian. I am sure we could have offered invaluable insight to the discussions with SunCruz Casinos had we been invited,” Mr. Cing pointed out.

He added that TCGCC would have recommended that SunCruz Casinos be licensed by the commission and then stationed on Saipan. “That way, SunCruz could use the existing customer base on Saipan and sail to Tinian, the gaming jurisdiction, to conduct the gaming.”

“After so many hours of gambling, SunCruz would return to Saipan and wait for the next day’s customers,” the commissioner said.

According to Mr. Cing, TCGCC does not intend to scare potential investors away by raising its concerns on the exclusion of the commission from the discussions with the SunCruz management.

At the same time, SunCruz executives are expected to meet with TCGCC commissioners for another round of lengthy discussion when they return to the islands during the latter part of the month.

Officials of the Florida-based leisure company were in the CNMI only on two occasions — one was in December when they commissioned a local firm to do a feasibility study and the second was earlier this month when they presented the proposal to some members of the House of Representatives and local business leaders.

The 150-foot vessel, which will be moored in an area near the Saipan International Seaport, will house a fine-dining restaurant, live entertainment center and a casino of 165 gaming machines and 25 tables.

According to SunCruz Casinos Chair Adam R. Kidan, initial infusion of investment would amount to between $10 million and $12.5 million while other business opportunities throughout the Northern Marianas are being carefully looked at for future expansions.

Mr. Kidan’s group were in the Northern Marianas in December last year to explore possible business opportunities here. Company officials also simultaneously conducted a trade visit in Guam where SunCruz Casinos also intend to bring in a floating facility.

SunCruz Casinos is primarily engaged in the operation of floating entertainment and gaming facilities in several areas in the mainland United States and other countries in Asia and the Caribbean.

Among the areas where the company operates floating casinos are: Key Largo, Hollywood, Florida; Jacksonville; Port Canaveral; Daytona Beach; Clearwater; Fort Myers; John’s Pass TI; Myrtle Beach in South Carolina; and Panama City.

Part of the plans for the Northern Marianas is the training of at about 200 to 250 local workers who are promised to receive a compensation package which is above the prevailing minimum wage in the mainland US.