IPI: nobody to sign reports submitted to the CCC

IPI is unable to send signed documents to the Commonwealth Casino Commission (CCC) as the current chief executive officer, Ray Yumul, has not yet been licensed by the CCC.

Northern Mariana Islands.- Imperial Pacific International (IPI) has more problems: now it’s been left with nobody to sign official documents.

Although Ray Yumul is the IPI’s current chief executive officer, the CCC said his application won’t be considered as submitted in full until the company pays the applicable fee. As such, he cannot sign official documents.

The only authorised person to sign or submit documents on behalf of the organisation is Frances Mafnas, IPI Treasury Director, but he is not licensed as a casino key employee.

According to Saipan Tribune, IPI reports submitted with no signature could be invalid.

Andrew Yeom, CCC executive director, stated that due to IPI’s non-payment of regulatory fee, they cannot issue new or renew casino key employee (CKE) or regular employee licences.

The situation is particularly unusual as the company is not allowed to talk to CCC about various matters that need to be discussed in order to achieve clarity.

The CCC is debating how to proceed in order to discuss matters or receive certain submissions without having to break its own regulations.

To temporarily amend the situation, the CCC said it’s willing to register IPI’s non-gaming employees Redie Dela Cruz (human resources director) and Tao Xing (SVP of public affairs).

Yeom said: “This is a borderline approach, but still valid because the registration of non-gaming employees is free of charge in our regulation and clearly stated in our application.”

Imperial Pacific International’s (IPI) gaming licence has been suspended indefinitely as the operator failed to comply with regulatory orders.

The Commonwealth Casino Commission board has ordered IPI to pay a penalty of US$6.6m, an annual casino exclusive licence fee of US$15.5m and annual casino regulatory fees of US$3.1m.

Next steps if IPI’s licence is revoked

Although it is still unknown what will happen with IPI’s gaming licence, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands has started to discuss the possibility of a future without the casino operator.

Representative Tina Sablan, said IPI’s licence is likely to be revoked as the company failed to remedy the payment of regulatory fees and tax, and more complaints from the regulator are pending.

Authorities are analysing two new gaming licences for Saipan, but discussions are in the initial stages. 

The CCC has announced 20 layoffs without cause in order to reduce operation costs as the regulator depends on the annual casino licence payments. 

Andrew Yeom said this represents a 60 per cent workforce reduction for CCC as some staff have already voluntarily resigned.

He also stated: “It would be better for us [if there are other casinos], but we only have one exclusive licensee.”

Then added money from the government “may be enough for personnel and operations costs for now, but it won’t last long.”