Ben Lee, managing partner of IGamiX, a managing and consulting firm in Macau, was asked by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial to share his thoughts with lawmakers and make recommendations regarding casino.
Aside from Speaker Eli D. Cabrera, R-Saipan, and other members of the House leadership, Tinian Republican Sen. Frank Q. Cruz; Rota Independent Sens. Juan M. Ayuyu and Jovita M. Taimanao, and Saipan Independent Sen. Luis P. Crisostimo also attended the meeting.
Lee told reporters that he believes casino is what Saipan needs to boost its tourism industry.
He said in the Asia-Pacific region, a lot of countries are now looking at gaming to boost tourism. He noted that Vietnam, Myanmar and Singapore have originally opposed gambling, but later changed their minds about it.
He said Saipan will have to face the challenge of competing with giant casinos in neighboring Asian countries: Korea, Macau, Singapore, the Philippines and Cambodia.
But he still believes that Saipan needs a casino.
Lee said the casinos on Tinian and Rota are still struggling.
He described the new billion-dollar casino resort plan on Tinian as “out of this world” — it cannot be realized.
Lee said unless “high rollers” come here, a casino will not really make that much.
That is why he advised lawmakers to allow a casino on Saipan which he said may be viable if it has tourist-oriented features.
He said Saipan cannot really expect high rollers but can market itself to “low to middle income” gamblers, probably the tourists who usually visit the island.
It may be more feasible to have a smaller-scale casino on Saipan instead of trying to compete with the bigger players in Asia, Lee said.
Fitial said Lee has many years of experiences in casino operations.
He said he had seen Lee’s presentation before so he invited him to Saipan to share his knowledge about casinos so that local lawmakers can come up with a good casino proposal.
Variety learned that five years ago, Fitial and Lee had discussed the feasibility of a casino on Saipan.
The Saipan and Northern Islands Delegation has readied the final draft of House Local Bill 17-44 to legalize a casino on Saipan and is expected to act on it anytime soon.
Fitial expressed hope that Lee’s presentation somehow provided Saipan lawmakers guidance before they move ahead with the casino legislation.
He urged lawmakers to consider some of the recommendations mentioned during Lee’s presentation.
Rep. Stanley T. Torres, Ind.-Saipan, said they may remove the bill’s provision that allows for a $575 million exclusive license.
Lee described the local casino bill as “90 percent politics.”
House Floor Leader George N. Camacho, Ind.-Saipan, noted that the proponents of casino bill cannot agree among themselves.
Still, Camacho said he agrees with Lee: a casino will have better chances on Saipan.
Rep. Joseph M. Palacios, R-Saipan, said as a result of the presentation, Fitial is coming up with recommendations to the lawmakers working on the casino bill.
These include removing the provision imposing a 10 percent gaming tax on a casino investor.
Fitial also wants the bill to clearly state what investors need to know.
