July 19, 2025

A closer look at $3.14B casino deal implementation schedule

By mid-October, Best Sunshine International Ltd./Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC should already have submitted its proposed implementation schedules for its $3.14-billion integrated casino resort. It has eight years or up to 2022 to fully complete the project under a maximum 40-year term.

Under the terms of the casino license agreement signed on Aug. 12, such implementation schedules should be provided to the soon-to-be formed Development Plan Review Committee “within 60 days” of license award.

“We are working on the schedule right now. A team of professionals is working on the timelines…That will set out the construction timeline as well, different phases, progressive opening of different amenities,” said Best Sunshine chief operating officer Terence Tay.

There are three independent implementation schedules—1) initial gaming facility implementation schedule 2) phase 1 of the licensee development proposal requirements 3) phase two of the licensee development proposal requirements.

The initial gaming facility shall be completed and begin operation within 24 months of land acquisition but no later than 36 months of the license issuance date.

This is required as a “newly constructed or refurbished structure” with guest rooms and services similar of quality to those identified for 5-star developments.

On phase one of the licensee development proposal requirements, the basic structure of an integrated resort shall be completed within 36 months of land acquisition but not later than 42 months from license issuance date.

Phase One shall result in the construction and operation of the following at a single development site: an 800-room 4- or 5-star luxury hotel; a $100-million themed entertainment facility with amphitheater; 5,372 sqm of food and beverage outlets; 2,500 sqm of meeting space; 5,000 sqm of retail shops; wedding chapel; 500 sqm of spa/fitness area; 10,000 sqm of gaming area; and associated parking, site improvements, landscaping, furnishings, fixtures, utilities, and infrastructure.

All the components of the licensee development proposal requirements that were not completed in Phase One would have to be incorporated into the Phase Two. This would have to be completed within eight years from the agreement signing.

However, as Tay and Department of Public Lands Secretary Pete A. Tenorio put it, land acquisition is a challenge but one that can be overcome, they said.

Best Sunshine can build on up to three development sites on Saipan. They are more likely to be on the north, south, and central Garapan.

0 thoughts on “A closer look at $3.14B casino deal implementation schedule

  1. I notice that my highly Governor touted return of part of our retirement money
    DID NOT SHOW UP IN MY BANK ACCOUNT TODAY AS PROMISED IN A STATEMENT BY THE SAID governor.

    Voting for Heinz for many many reasons – this is just another small one.

  2. As I read this article, it seems that anything that is not completed within the first phase required timeline has to be completed by the end of this final timeline and outlay. So now the question is what, if any penalties are there for not complteing any of the required structures?
    It seems in the first phase although there is a timeline it is not enforced as it allows the developer to NOT build everything although it specifically mandated.
    The other thing is that it states that most likely this “complex” will be spread out out all around Saipan.Which in itself as far as room accommodation goes is not necessarily bad.
    BUT the question is not specifically answered in this article is more than one Casino allowed at each location besides the one that is spelled out in this plan?

    What may be read into this article about the plans is that as long as the specific “main” Casino is built it will allow other smaller ones to be built

  3. who are in the Development Plan Review? hope not allies of contractors close to the Capitol Hill. They should be experienced architects, engineers not simply businessman and cohorts. Can it be a public knowledge? One gray area tho….what is the timeline for “land acquisition”? as this drives everything to move forward. Tied into this are the minor-major siting, permits, EIA-EIS (?). This can take forever. How are the workers be brought over to CNMI? Hongkong Designers, General Contractors?…so in the end money returns to their home country not to CNMI economy?…so many question. Forgive me if there has been manuscripts of dealings that have been published and I have not been aware of.

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