BSI: No revenue from casino training center
Best Sunshine International, Ltd. does not expect to earn from a “live” training facility it plans to construct at the first level of the DFS building in Garapan.
Company CEO Mark Brown said the business group is just waiting for the Saipan Lottery Commission to give its approval for the group to start building the temporary training facility.
The training center is expected to “simulate” a casino gaming floor, among others, where actual casino games will be played.
“As soon as the Lottery Commission gives us the approval, we will be at the site on April 15 and start construction,” Brown, who was on Capital Hill to attend another meeting, said.
April 15 is the start of a two-year lease of the DFS site, Brown said, adding that Best Sunshine will “only need 15 months” to use the training facility.
Brown also clarified that the $25-million budget for the training facility includes the leasing costs.
The Commonwealth Lottery Commission on Tuesday agreed to the proposed temporary “live” training facility, but will still finalize amendments to Public Law 18-38 or the casino law, which does not have provisions for such as facility.
DFS tenants, manpower
If the proposal gets the green light from Capital Hill, Best Sunshine will immediately proceed with the construction of the facility.
Brown said DFS tenants currently occupying the DFS floor will be placed in other suitable areas of the building.
At this point, the floor plans and general layout of the “live” training facility has been finalized, Brown said.
Applications have also started coming, after Best Sunshine announced “want ads” in various media organizations. Best Sunshine is looking at 500 personnel for the training facility.
According to Brown, Best Sunshine will prioritize the job openings for local residents but if the 500 slots are not filled, then offshore hires will be brought in.
The 500 initial employees for the training facility will then be integrated into the manpower pool of a 250-room hotel that Best Sunshine will put up in a property adjacent to DFS.
However, Best Sunshine will still have to wait for a final decision from Capital Hill before the training facility goes full blast, Brown said.
AS I and many have stated this will prove interesting. They already do not expect to get the 500 from the NMI.
SO NOW it seems that they will be training for all aspects of the Hotel and also the actual gaming side. This is actually good. Hopefully to include machine technician.
Too bad that it was not stated as such from the beginning. OR is it the poor reporting by MVariety?
I am curious and wish they would clarify “bring in from outside” where will these people come from? Does this mean from Asia through the US Immigration or from the FSM and other islands?
Are they going to build barrack first to accommodate these off island people?
It would be good to get a straight plan from thee people as they only give out bits and pieces and change at each statement to the press.
All of this seems that they still do not have any plans as it changes at each turn. Same as the land and the area.
They also stated that they would have the place open for the public to play the table games (for free)
So only 15 months huh? Lets see. how many of our people actually will qualify and more so, actually will stay employed.
How long it will actually take to build the hotel when they do not even have a construction crew available yet nor permits.
15 months to build a 250 room 5 star hotel, from start to finish and opening fully staffed? In places like Guam and Hawaii, maybe. In Saipan, doubtful especially when there has not been any permits, groundbreaking or designated contractor yet at this stage.
But I do wish them good luck as I am anxiously waiting to see this in operation with all of our local employees working on the Casino floor and also at the Hotel, from the font desk onward down to housekeeping and in the restaurants, stores, etc. This would be a first in the CNMI.
Please hurry before I pass on.