A Korean company, whose five-year casino license is expiring next year, wants to open its casino on Rota this Dec. 24, 2021, but the Rota Casino Gaming Commission needs a minimum funding of $740,000 in order for the casino operation to move forward. <\/p>\n
Rota Mayor Efraim M. Atalig disclosed Rota casino licensee IH Corp\u2019s plan and the needed budget for the commission in his letter yesterday to Sen. Teresita A. Santos (Ind-Rota) and Rep. Donald M. Manglona (Ind-Rota), who co-chair the Rota Legislative Delegation. <\/p>\n
As it stands now, IH Corp has yet to build a casino the past four years, Atalig said in his letter, but has asked the commission to open its casino this Dec. 24.<\/p>\n
Saipan Tribune learned from a Rota official who requested anonymity that the company rents a small building on Rota and has put some slot machines instead of poker machines, and they call it a \u201ccasino.\u201d<\/p>\n
Atalig said that with the company\u2019s aggressive move to start its casino, it behooves the commission to find a solution as soon possible.<\/p>\n
Atalig said the challenge facing the commission right now is not having funding to hire critical staff and to train them in the regulatory requirements of casino operations.<\/p>\n
He said to prepare the commission as a functioning entity, they need a minimum funding of $740,000 to cover salaries, training, and office needs.<\/p>\n
Atalig said with the assistance of the Rota municipality and financial support from the central government, the commission can move forward in allowing casino operation on the island.<\/p>\n
He said the revitalization of Rota\u2019s economy rests in part on an entity like the Rota Casino Gaming Commission operating on a positive image of competency in regulating casino operations.<\/p>\n
Rota voters overwhelmingly voted to allow casino operation on Rota via a public initiative in the 1997 general elections.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, Atalig said, the only provision in the Act was that funds for the commission will come from tax revenue collected from the casino operation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout startup funds, how can the commission set up their office, hire needed staff, be trained in their office, be trained in their regulatory functions and other administrative requirements as a regulator entity?\u201d the mayor asked.<\/p>\n
The breakdown of the budget request for $740,000 in annual operation is as follows:<\/p>\n
*five commissioners at $60,000 each, for a total of $300,000.
\n* Executive director at $65,000.
\n* Legal counsel as needed, at $45,000.
\n* Executive secretary at $30,000.
\n*Accountant at $40,000.
\n* Enforcement officer at $35,000.
\n* Three enforcement agents at $30,000 each, for a total of $90,000.
\n*Training cost at $60,000.
\n* Office equipment, computers, furnishing, vehicle\/fuel, office supplies. etc. at $75,000.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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