By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

Senate President Joseph M. Mendiola says that no full-time employee slots will be granted to the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission until additional casino investors start their operations on island.
Mendiola, Covenat-Tinian, said they have yet to respond positively to the request of the commission for the hiring of additional 20 employees in anticipation of the coming of new casino investors.
“Their plan is to hire 20 employees…but in the absence of other casinos it is unjustified to approve their request,” Mendiola said. “The request is for the purpose of planning for the additional casinos…but we’re not going to give them these FTEs until we’re sure that these casinos will open shop,” he added.
Marianas Resort Development Co. Inc. has been issued a casino license by the commission for its $179 million investment.
Bridge Investment Group has also expressed the intention to invest about $150 million in a new hotel casino on Tinian.
Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino, which opened in 1998, is still the only casino operating on island.
In a statement yesterday, TCGCC stated that for the past few months, it has been working with the Workforce Investment Agency to train up to 20 individuals to be casino gaming inspectors.
The commission said it has not hired these individuals.
“They are currently employed under the WIA program and will undergo training at the commission for the next 12 months,” the statement said.
It added that WIA will pay the trainees for the first 12 months of training.
“No funds will be required from the yearly appropriation from casino revenue for the first year,” it added.
The WIA training started on Dec. 26, 2006.