The Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission is unaware of the Fitial administration\u2019s signing of memoranda of agreement with at least two companies wanting to set up casino operations on Tinian.<\/p>\n
TCGCC officials said yesterday that no consultation was made by the administration regarding the matter.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not aware of the MOA signing. I\u2019m not really sure what the MOAs are all about,\u201d said TCGCC executive director Esther Hofschneider-Barr.<\/p>\n
Commission chair William Cing said the body \u201chas not had the opportunity to review the MOAs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe MOAs signed by the administration may be dealing with land or permitting issues but they may not deal with casino licensing issues,\u201d said Cing.<\/p>\n
If indeed the MOAs deal with land and permits, the commission need not be consulted, he said.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the administration acknowledged that the MOAs \u201cdo not guarantee gaming licenses to interested companies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe MOAs merely express an understanding between the central government and the developer. It signifies the good faith intent to proceed with the project,\u201d said press secretary Charles Reyes.<\/p>\n
He said the commission is not a party to any of the MOAs.<\/p>\n
The MOAs, therefore, do not mean that the companies could actually operate casino on Tinian since the agreements do not constitute actual licenses.<\/p>\n
Under the law, only the TCGCC is authorized to issue licenses to qualified casino operators.<\/p>\n
The commission is allowed to grant up to five casino licenses.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The three other licenses were given to Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino, Tinian Marine Resort, and Bridge Investment Group.<\/p>\n
Tinian Marine and Bridge Investment were given only conditional licenses.<\/p>\n
Bridge Investment, which aims to put up a 300-room hotel casino resort on Tinian, received its license late last year. <\/p>\n
Tinian Marine Resort reportedly received its conditional license ahead of Bridge Investment but the commission declined to comment on the former\u2019s project, citing \u201congoing confidential negotiation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meantime, the issuance of three licenses means that the commission has only two remaining slots.<\/p>\n
The Fitial administration has signed MOAs with Marianas Resort Development Co. Inc. and Cordish Company for casino projects.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It also said that it is discussing with a third company to take the \u201cfifth\u201d casino license. <\/p>\n
Cing said that Marianas Resort Development Co., which is to break ground today, has yet to submit an application with the commission.<\/p>\n
Cordish Company, meantime, has yet to meet with the commission.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not aware of the fifth company but appreciate the administration\u2019s efforts in enticing major casino developers,\u201d said Cing. <\/p>\n
Right now, only Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino operates such a business on the island. It began casino operations in 1998.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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