Cross Island Road Phase 1. Mariana Grand Resort and Casino; New XO Market; Contact Us Saipan Office. Box 10000 PPP 139, CNMI, Saipan 96950. Although a casino and restaurant is said to be in operation, it looks and feels dull inside. But the physical structure seems that this place is ready to make an impression once completed and in full display. Located just beside the Hyatt and Fiesta properties, you know it is in a very central part of the island. Having said all that, casino hotels in Saipan are a good choice: tons of visitors were highly impressed with their hotel. That's why it's no surprise guests return again and again, and the locals will treat you like family. In Saipan, you won't have a problem finding fun things to do during your downtime.
- Imperial Palace Casino Saipan
- Saipan Casino News
- Casino In Saipan Island
- Saipan Casino Scandal
- Saipan Casino Jobs
Concerns are growing
Imperial Pacific International Holdings Ltd, a company developing a casino resort on the island of Saipan, recorded a loss of $503m in 2019. With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, concerns are growing for the company’s future.
The company spoke about the impact of the ongoing pandemic is having on its business. In an attempt to try to stop the spreading of the virus on the island, the company closed the casino for a 10-day period on March 17.
noted how the intensity and duration of the coronavirus is causing massive disruption
Imperial Pacific also noted how the intensity and duration of the coronavirus is causing massive disruption in relation to visitation and travel. As a result, the group expects that the pandemic will have a material impact on its financial results for at least the first six months of 2020.
A significant reason for the losses was a decline in VIP gambler numbers. With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic affecting gambling hubs across the world for the foreseeable future, these VIP figures will likely decline even further.
Heavy losses in recent years
Imperial Pacific has not been having the best of luck in recent years. Its losses for 2019 were more than the $380m lost in 2018. The company generated evenue of $69.6m, representing a year-on-year decline of 83.4%.
The company is in the middle of redeveloping its luxury resort in Saipan. The casino remains open to gamblers while development work is carried out. In 2019, Imperial Pacific invested $879m into the project, mainly in its
design, consulting, engineering, construction material, and labour.”
This followed an investment of $792m in 2018.
VIP revenue tumbles
VIP gambling revenue dropped by 91% from $380m in 2018 to $32.8m in 2019. There has been an ongoing trend in the Asia-Pacific region of lower numbers of high rollers visiting gambling hubs, such as Macau. One of the reasons for this is believed to be due to the slowing economy in China before the coronavirus pandemic hit.
Saipan casino resort hit by delays
The development of the Saipan casino resort has also experienced many delays. It was supposed to be completed in August 2017. After a delay, the final completion date was moved to the end of 2018. It now looks like the project will not be completed until August 2022.
Reasons behind the delays include lawsuits concerning alleged unpaid wages, management changes, and a number of federal investigations.
Introduction to Northern Mariana Islands Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
Northern Mariana Islands slot machine casino gambling consists of seven commercial casinos. Five of these casinos are on the island of Saipan with the remainder in San Jose on the island of Tinian. International cruise ship casinos are open while docked.
This U.S. territory in the South Pacific is officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) near the U.S. territory of Guam located west of the Philippines and north of Queensland, Australia.
This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.
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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in the Northern Mariana Islands*
The minimum legal gambling age in the Northern Mariana Islands depends upon the gambling activity:
- Land-Based Casinos: 21
- Poker Rooms: 21
- Bingo: Not available
- Lottery: Not available
- Pari-Mutuel Wagering: Not available
Saipan’s legislature legalized gambling in 2014. This occurred without a vote by residents after years of rejection by mostly Catholic voters. As recently as 2017, new gaming regulations were under development. Recent gambling changes in CNMI have been dramatic.
After a fact-finding trip to Hong Kong, a bill authorizing a casino concession passed with little debate and with futile resistance from activists. The second bid was from the Chinese company Imperial Pacific for a $3 billion mega-resort far exceeding Saipan’s economy.
It is officially the Imperial Pacific Resort Hotel, but advertised as the Macau of the Mariana Trench and referred to by locals as Satan’s Palace.
In August 2015, Imperial Pacific won the bid in exchange for a $15 million annual fee and other fixed payments. Ideally, this revenue addresses Saipan’s economic difficulties.
Unfortunately for Saipan future economics, the casino contract terms include:
- A 25-year monopoly on the casino industry in Saipan.
- There is to be no taxation of any casino gambling income by Saipan.
As a result, as reported by Casino.org, Imperial Pacific is the “most profitable casino on Earth.”
Such extreme terms benefiting the operator of Imperial Pacific included substantial financial payments given, allegedly, to the CNMI’s Governor, the Governor’s family, and other individuals.
On November 7, 2019, the FBI again raided the offices of CNMI’s Governor Ralph Torres as well as the owner of Imperial Pacific, Hong Kong’s IPI Holdings Limited.
On November 15, 2019, a subpoena was issued to the records custodian at Imperial Pacific to testify before a grand jury over communications between Imperial Pacific, the CNMI Governor, the Governor’s family members, and other individuals.
On January 27, 2020, CNMI Governor Ralph Torres reportedly denied any accusations of wrong-doing.
*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.
Slot Machine Private Ownership in the Northern Mariana Islands
Private ownership of a slot machine on the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is unknown.
Gaming Control Board in the Northern Mariana Islands
Article XXI of the constitution of the U.S. territory of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands prohibits gambling except as provided by Commonwealth law or established through an initiative in the Commonwealth or in any senatorial district.
Saipan has its Commonwealth Casino Commission established through an initiative in the Commonwealth, while Tinian has the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission established through its senatorial district.
Casinos in the Northern Mariana Islands
There are there are seven casinos in the Northern Mariana Islands, not including onboard casinos in visiting international cruise ships.
The largest casino in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands is Plumeria Gold and Casino Resort with 250 gaming machines.
The second-largest casino is Imperial Pacific Resort with 190 gaming machines.
Commercial Casinos in the Northern Mariana Islands
The five casinos on CNMI’s island of Saipan are:
- Best Sunshine Live Garapan in Garapan.
- Club 88 Garapan in Garapan.
- Club 88 Marianas Resort and Spa in Garapan.
- Club C e-Gaming Club in Susupe.
- Imperial Pacific Resort in Garapan.
The two casinos on CNMI’s island of Tinian are:
- Plumeria Golf and Casino Resort in San Jose.
- Tinian Ocean View Casino Resort in San Jose.
Tribal Casinos in the Northern Mariana Islands
CNMI has no federally-recognized American Indian tribes and, therefore, no tribal casinos.
Other Gambling Establishments
Imperial Palace Casino Saipan
As an alternative to enjoying Northern Mariana Islands slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state or territory. Bordering the Northern Mariana Islands is:
Saipan Casino News
- East: Hawaii Slots
- South: Guam Slots
Casino In Saipan Island
Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state or territory to the Northern Mariana Islands.
Our Northern Mariana Islands Slots Facebook Group
Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in the Northern Mariana Islands? If so, join our Northern Mariana Islands slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.
There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Join us!
Payout Returns in the Northern Mariana Islands
No theoretical payout limits are available for CNMI. Furthermore, slot machine payout return statistics are not available to the public.
Summary of the Northern Mariana Islands Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
Northern Mariana Islands slot machine casino gambling consists of seven commercial casinos. Five casinos are on the island of Saipan with the remainder in San Jose on the island of Tinian. Cruise ship casinos are open while docked.
No theoretical payout limits exist and return statistics are not publicly available.
Annual Progress in the Northern Mariana Islands Slot Machine Casino Gambling
Saipan Casino Scandal
In the last year, the FBI and the U.S. District Court on CNMI continues to investigate the Governor, family members, and other individuals alongside the casino operator of the Imperial Pacific headquartered in Hong Kong. The Governor has since denied any wrong-doing.
Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots
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Saipan Casino Jobs
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By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC