Imperial Pacific International Holdings Ltd. has announced it is planning a March 31 soft opening of its new casino on Saipan, according to multiple reports. But the island’s casino regulator is uncertain the plan will come to pass as scheduled, according to Marianas Variety.
Commonwealth Casino Commission Vice Chairman Joseph C. Reyes says several factors including weather could delay completion of Phase I of the resort in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands. Reyes urged IPI to consider extending its temporary casino contract with T-Galleria, the venue that hosts its temporary Best Sunshine Live gaming facility.
“They should start addressing it now because everything takes time, especially when it involves dealing with the government,” Reyes said. “They said they will be moving into the casino by late March, but I don’t know if that will happen. We just have to make sure that we are on top of everything as this casino industry is important for the CNMI economically.”
IPI Senior Vice President for Operations Donnie Browne said there’s no need for a backup plan, and Ivan Blanco, a member of the local House of Representatives, agreed. “I think we are on the right track,” Blanco said. “Of course with the new industry there are always areas where we are unsure. We will encounter some barriers but this meeting is important because it helped us resolve some of the issues. We are seeing progress and IPI is moving forward. We are hopeful that things will move according to plan.”
Meanwhile, commissioners have toured the construction site and were “very impressed,” Variety reported. The $500 million resort is set to feature 200 to 300 gaming tables along with 300 to 400 slot machines.
