THE Rota Legislative Delegation on Friday unanimously passed House Local Bill 23-61 appropriating $155,000 in casino license fee that the Rota Casino and Gaming Commission collected from the IH Group two months ago.
Authored by Rep. Julie Marie Ogo, H.L.B. 23-61 is now on the desk of Gov. Arnold I. Palacios.
The casino license fee collection is appropriated for the gaming commission as follows:
–$105,000 for personnel salaries including fringe benefits.
–$15,000 for operations, equipment and supplies.
–$15,000 for training expenses.
–$10,000 for legal counsel.
–$10,000 initial deposit in a special account for payments owed, including fringe benefits, to current and past RCGC members.
H.L.B. 23-61 would also require the Rota municipal treasurer or the mayor’s designee to establish an RCGC Members Payment Special Account. “This special account shall remain open for future appropriations until the past-due payments are paid in full. Provided, however, [that] the funds in the special account shall not be spent unless the RCGC chairperson and the Rota Department of Finance resident director certify in writing the name of the RCGC member, the time served on the commission, any payments already made to the member, and the balance owed to the member.”
On July 5, 2024, Korea-based IH Group secured a casino license from RCGC to operate onsite and online casinos on Rota. The IH Group’s I Love Rota Casino/IH Casino is located in Songsong. It initially started with 30 slot machines and a baccarat table.
The IH Group has also submitted to the Department of Public Lands a proposal to lease and develop the former Rota Resort & Club.
