CNMI finalizing details on Saipan casino project

The Lottery Commission in the Northern Marianas is expected to finalize details of a $2 billion casino resort on the island of Saipan with developer Best Sunshine International this week, Radio New Zealand reports.

The commission awarded the license to Best Sunshine earlier this month following an acrimonious tender process. Losing bidder Marianas Stars Entertainment had sought a court injunction to block the process.

The report said among the contentious issues in the negotiations are the location of the casino and 2,000 rooms, on the limited space available on Saipan.

Best Sunshine’s original plans envisaged a four-phase integrated resort, with the first phase including a 401-room and casino to open by 2017-2018. The grand opening is set for 2020, with the full complement of 2,000 rooms, it said.

The deal will pave the way for the $30 million dollar payment of a deferred 25 percent pension for retirees.

 

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