Imperial Pacific gets nod to open temporary casino in Saipan; Bangkok casino could become police station?

Macau junket investor Imperial Pacific International Holdings Ltd has reached a written agreement with the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, amending its casino license to establish and operate a temporary casino in Garapan, Saipan.

The agreement was mentioned in a filing submitted to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, as well as the company’s plan to seek legal advice to make sure that the temporary casino complies with all the applicable laws that fall under the jurisdiction of the stock exchange.

The temporary casino will be operational while the company build its $7.1 billion integrated resort and casino project in Saipan. The first phase of the massive project is set to be completed sometime in 2016.

Once the project is completed, the massive resort and casino project will feature a town hotel plus integrated resort with gaming facilities.

The temporary casino is expected to be launched sometime this year.

Over in Bangkok, Tao Pun casino—long considered as a hotbed for illegal gambling among the residents, will be permanently shuttered and will be turned into, of all things, a police station.

Pol Col and Secretary-General of the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) Seehanat Prayoonrat told The Bangkok Post that the property will finally be put to use for another purpose after gamblers continued to use it for illegal gambling activities even after the place had been seized by the AMLO.