Northern Mariana’s commission issues four licences

Four junket operators have received a two-year regular licence from the Commonwealth Casino Commission.

Northern Mariana Islands.- The casino segment continues to expand in the Northern Mariana Islands as the Imperial Pacific International casino is set to open in the archipelago and further companies get authorised to operate. That’s why, on Monday, the Commonwealth Casino Commission approved four junket-operator-license applications for several companies.

The regulator granted, with conditions, a two-year regular licence to Jiming Dong’s High Tides (CNMI) LLC, Hongyi Ma’s Stellar Paradise CNMI LLC, Hong Zhang’s Bula Mula LLC and Ni “Lily” Ren’s Hengqin Guiji LLC. According to commission Executive Director Edward C. Deleon Guerrero, the body worked with Imperial Pacific International’s senior vice president for compliance, Charles McDonald, before setting the terms and conditions for the junket operator’s licence.

Deleon Guerrero also explained that there are several conditions for the licencees to follow, but highlighted the Anti-Money-Laundering and Terrorist-Financing-Compliance Program for Operating Junkets in the CNMI. Other requirements are a US$1k application fee, a letter of intent from IPI addressed to the commission, a US$6k investigation and vetting fee, a CNMI business licence and a limited-liability establishment for each junket operator.

“IPI is still working on the junket agreements between the casino and each junket operator,” Deleon Guerrero added.