Inside Asian Gaming

IAG JAPAN SEP 2020 72 the possibility of losing Chinese [visa-free access] altogether, and local regulatory capacity,” Sablan, a member of the legislature’s minority opposing the governing Republican Party, says. Whether CNMI’s bet on IPI ever pays off centers on three key questions: Can IPI’s Garapan casino hotel succeed? Can IPI build it? Can CNMI regulate it? “Gaming can be an amenity in Saipan, it can’t be what drives tourism,” Global Market AdvisorsManaging Partner Steve Gallaway says. “A well-run beachfront casino hotel can succeed in Saipan, however IPI have gone about it all wrong,” adds iGamiX Director of Casino Operations Eric Coskun. “IPI’s Garapan project, from a casino perspective, is twice as big as what is required here, however the number of hotel rooms is probably a little on the low end.” When completed, the Paul Steelman designed Imperial Palace ‧ Saipan will accommodate 193 gaming tables and 365 machines, plus 329 guest rooms and 15 villas. EuroPacificAsia Consulting Managing Partner Shaun McCamley, senior vice president for gaming when Tinian Dynasty debuted in 1998, estimates 500 rooms “would allow IPI to house sufficient patrons from China and other parts of Asia.” CASHA FLOW In July last year, IPI paid US$23.7 million for a 50% stake of American Sinopan, developing a hotel complex north of Garapan with the potential for 1,700 rooms now dubbed Imperial Casha. IPI’s license allows multiple casinos, though it has not yet proposed gaming at Imperial Casha. IPI has proposed amending its license agreement to include hotel rooms at different locations to fulfill its US$2 billion and 2,000 guest room development obligations, or even transfer IN FOCUS