Imperial Pacific International Ltd (IPI) has announced that it will begin casino operations at its Imperial Pacific Resort in Saipan this Thursday 6 July after it was given the green light to open by the Commonwealth Casino Commission over the weekend.
Originally expected to open around 15 July, the company confirmed in a press release on Monday that it would complete the move from its temporary Best Sunshine Live facility this week with its “spectacular new casino set to redefine luxury as part of Saipan’s exciting development into a world center of leisure and entertainment.”
Imperial Pacific Resort was granted a conditional certificate of occupancy on 16 May but was told two weeks later to address a number of safety concerns before it was granted permission to transfer casino operations to the new site.
On 19 June, IPI told Inside Asian Gaming it had “received a detailed list of opening requirements from the CCC” and that “the company has been working with due diligence to complete all commission requirements.
“The requirements issued by CCC mainly cover the areas of fire alarm systems; increased presence of fire watch, safety consultant, construction workers’ proper work authorization, legal certification, parking spaces, trash removal, grounds enhancement and indemnification agreement.”
Those requirements were satisfied last week, with the Commonwealth Casino Commission announcing on Friday that Imperial Pacific Resort was free to open provided it also had 250 hotel rooms ready to host guests.
In Monday’s release, IPI said its new resort would feature 70 gaming tables, 190 electronic gaming machines, 329 opulent hotel suites and 15 deluxe villas.
“The aesthetic and innovative architectural concept of this resort hotel is the perfect blend of breathtaking underwater world and the essence of Western architecture,” it said. “The exquisite masterpiece is created by industry-leading architectural firm Steelman Partners, which specializes in creating world-class luxury resorts and hotels.
“In the future, the hotel building will offer 329 opulent hotel suites and 15 deluxe villas, numerous restaurants headed by famous Michelin Star chefs and the first rank convention and entertainment facilities.”
IPI Chief Executive Kwong Yiu Ling said, “Imperial Pacific has committed to the development of world-class investment and high-end entertainment projects on Saipan.
“We are very excited to transfer to the Imperial Pacific Resort – Saipan. It is our first milestone and will definitely help to launch a new era of luxury on Saipan. We will be working very hard for the sustainable development and Saipan will become one of the most desirable travel destinations in the world.”