By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

ALL five members of the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission are in South Korea for a 10-day “investigation” of casino license applicant Marianas Resort Development Corp.
Tinian Mayor Jose San Nicolas yesterday said that TCGCC chairman William Cing, vice chairwoman Serafina R. King-Nabors, and members Juanita M. Mendiola, Peter Q. Cruz and Francisco Borja flew to South Korea on Tuesday and are expected to be back on island next week.
Also with the group are the commission’s executive director Esther H. Barr and chief investigator Patrick San Nicolas.
The mayor said the official trip is one of the commission’s duties which requires an investigation and inspection of the casino applicant before the issuance of a casino license.
“The commissioners need to find out personally and investigate the credibility of those financing the casino project. They will be in Korea for 10 days to gather information,” the mayor said, adding that the team will make recommendations and submit a report to the commission, the municipal council and the mayor’s office.
Asked about the travel costs, San Nicolas said MRDC paid for the fare and per diem. He did not disclose the amount.
“MRDC provides everything for this trip because it is in the law that they have to provide it,” he said.
Under the Revised Gaming Act, an applicant for a casino licensee “shall pay a non-refundable application fee of not less than $200,000 upon submission of the application to the commission.”
TCGCC issued the provisional license to MRDC on Sept. 27 last year.
The island’s only casino, the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino, has been operating since 1998,
The other new casino license applicant, the Bridge Investment Group, earlier said they want to invest about $150 million.
Mayor San Nicolas said upon completion of the revised land lease agreement between MRDC and the Department of Public Lands and the investigation of the commission, the company can start the physical construction of its facility.