TCGCC unaware of casino MOAs

The Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission is unaware of the Fitial administration’s signing of memoranda of agreement with at least two companies wanting to set up casino operations on Tinian.

TCGCC officials said yesterday that no consultation was made by the administration regarding the matter.

“I’m not aware of the MOA signing. I’m not really sure what the MOAs are all about,” said TCGCC executive director Esther Hofschneider-Barr.

Commission chair William Cing said the body “has not had the opportunity to review the MOAs.”

“The MOAs signed by the administration may be dealing with land or permitting issues but they may not deal with casino licensing issues,” said Cing.

If indeed the MOAs deal with land and permits, the commission need not be consulted, he said.

In a statement, the administration acknowledged that the MOAs “do not guarantee gaming licenses to interested companies.”

“The MOAs merely express an understanding between the central government and the developer. It signifies the good faith intent to proceed with the project,” said press secretary Charles Reyes.

He said the commission is not a party to any of the MOAs.

The MOAs, therefore, do not mean that the companies could actually operate casino on Tinian since the agreements do not constitute actual licenses.

Under the law, only the TCGCC is authorized to issue licenses to qualified casino operators.

The commission is allowed to grant up to five casino licenses.

Cing said that the commission has actually issued four licenses but one was eventually revoked. The revoked license belonged to Lone Star Casino, which received it in 1996.

The three other licenses were given to Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino, Tinian Marine Resort, and Bridge Investment Group.

Tinian Marine and Bridge Investment were given only conditional licenses.

Bridge Investment, which aims to put up a 300-room hotel casino resort on Tinian, received its license late last year.

Tinian Marine Resort reportedly received its conditional license ahead of Bridge Investment but the commission declined to comment on the former’s project, citing “ongoing confidential negotiation.”

Meantime, the issuance of three licenses means that the commission has only two remaining slots.

The Fitial administration has signed MOAs with Marianas Resort Development Co. Inc. and Cordish Company for casino projects.

The administration said it signed last week an MOA with Baltimore-based Cordish Company for a $200-million casino and golf course project on Tinian.

It earlier signed an agreement with Marianas Resort Development Co., which plans to build a $170-million casino and golf course project on the island.

It also said that it is discussing with a third company to take the “fifth” casino license.

Cing said that Marianas Resort Development Co., which is to break ground today, has yet to submit an application with the commission.

Cordish Company, meantime, has yet to meet with the commission.

“We are not aware of the fifth company but appreciate the administration’s efforts in enticing major casino developers,” said Cing.

Right now, only Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino operates such a business on the island. It began casino operations in 1998.