Inside Asian Gaming

IAG SEP 2020年9月 亞博匯 76 IN FOCUS “Unfortunately, IPI had other plans,” Stewart says, noting that after authorities extended the construction deadline, IPI terminated Pacific Rim’s contract. The contractor claims IPI also brought in illegal workers and shortchanged it on payments. Stewart adds Pacific Rim “would still be interested in completing this project, but not with IPI’s involvement.” DECISION TIME With the latest completion deadline looming, CNMI authorities can give IPI another extension, or suspend or revoke its license. “IPI must be held accountable for all its legal and contractual obligations,” Representative Sablan says. “Unfortunately, the CNMI government is in many ways falling short of its own duties to hold IPI accountable.” If IPI were to lose its license, it’s uncertain another casino operator would step in. McCamley believes a new operator would demand the government adjust the development requirement and fee structure, plus address issues of regulatory “stability, transparency and a culture of compliance.” On the travel side, McCamley contends, “CNMI authorities have not envisioned a competitive and well bundled tourism destination.” “There are far too many worrying regulatory and governmental issues,” Coskun adds. iGamiX oversees Club C, one of two electronic gaming parlors in Saipan licensed by the Finance Department, that with ubiquitous poker machines generated revenue of around US$30 million last year. “There are some parties that, if the terms were right, would gladly step in, however most, not all, of them would not bring any real value to the project and especially the CNMI.” Says Sablan, “I take solace in the long view of our history, and in our resilience as a community. The people of the Marianas have survived colonial occupation, war, catastrophic typhoons and economic collapse. We will survive IPI.”