• Subscribe
  • Magazines
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Wednesday 17 September 2025
  • zh-hant 中文
  • ja 日本語
  • en English
IAG
Advertisement
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 中文
  • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
IAG
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 中文
  • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
IAG
No Result
View All Result

Imperial Pacific prohibited from working with junkets amid fears over China blacklist

Ben Blaschke by Ben Blaschke
Tue 27 Apr 2021 at 05:25
Pacific puzzle

Imperial Palace · Saipan

49
SHARES
1.2k
VIEWS
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Saipan casino operator Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC has been effectively banned from working with junkets in yet another blow to its efforts to remain feasible.

According to a report by Marianas Variety, the Commonwealth Casino Commission (CCC) of the Northern Mariana Islands has issued an order prohibiting the issuance or renewal of any licenses related to junket activity – a decision said to be in response to threats from mainland China over cross-border gambling.

As reported by Inside Asian Gaming, China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced last August that it had established a “blacklist” of overseas tourist destinations it said were disrupting the nation’s outbound tourism market by opening casinos targeting mainland Chinese customers, and promised to enforce travel restrictions upon those named on the blacklist.

That promise, seemingly targeting jurisdictions and operators utilizing junkets, resulted in the CCC stating such restrictions could have“very serious implications not only on casino gambling here but on the tourism industry in general.”

CNMI Governor Ralph Torres is also said to have written to the CCC earlier this month expressing “concerns about the present junket program” and asking that they “revisit this provision of the regulations, repeal this allowance for junket operator licenses, and enact the necessary safeguards and penalties to ensure that the operations of the casino licensee do not permit junket activities within the casino.”

In response, the CCC said it has now “determined that a comprehensive review of the junket program is warranted and no licenses under the present program should be renewed, nor new licenses issued until a comprehensive review has occurred, and new regulations are promulgated which address the governor’s concerns.”

IPI garnered headlines around the world in 2017 after reporting VIP rolling chip volume of US$32.4 billion across just 16 VIP tables for the previous year – a figure that defied belief given The Venetian Macao’s 100 VIP tables generated roll of US$28.9 billion.

However, the company has since reported significant problems collecting on its debts with trade receivables still owing totaling HK$9.05 billion (US$1.17 billion) as of late last year. IPI’s Saipan casino, Imperial Palace • Saipan, has been closed since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This latest junket blow comes after IPI was informed last Friday that its casino license had been suspended for failure to comply with certain requirements under its license agreement. The company has six months to pay more than US$25 million fees and fines or risk having its license revoked.

RelatedPosts

Tinian senator puts forward bill to offer online gaming licenses

Chinese nationals launch legal action over alleged fraudulent use of investment funds assigned for Tinian casino projects

Wed 17 Sep 2025 at 05:34
Pacific puzzle

Team King completes acquisition of Saipan casino assets but IPI ownership links linger

Mon 25 Aug 2025 at 05:33
First auction of Imperial Pacific gaming equipment postponed

IPI’s abandoned Saipan hotel and casino building shows signs of wear and tear but no immediate danger ahead of planned sale

Tue 5 Aug 2025 at 05:34
Sri Lanka approves free visas for visitors from seven countries in bid to boost tourism, revive economy

Junket operations among key discussion points as Sri Lanka government committee delves into casino regulation

Mon 9 Jun 2025 at 05:49
Load More
Tags: CNMICommonwealth Casino CommissionGovernor Ralph TorresImperial Pacific InternationalImperial Palace‧SaipanJunkets
Share20Share3
Ben Blaschke

Ben Blaschke

A former sports journalist in Sydney, Australia, Ben has been Managing Editor of Inside Asian Gaming since early 2016. He played a leading role in developing and launching IAG Breakfast Briefing in April 2017 and oversees as well as being a key contributor to all of IAG’s editorial pursuits.

Current Issue

Editorial – Flipping the script

Editorial – Flipping the script

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 12:30

This month represents an important milestone for Inside Asian Gaming as we launch IAG EXPO – an expansion of the...

Asia market roundup

Asia market roundup

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 12:26

Inside Asian Gaming takes a deep dive into the state of Asia-Pacific’s key gaming markets: who’s hot, who’s not and...

Rewriting the rules

Rewriting the rules

by Newsdesk
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 11:43

IAG EXPO, taking place at Newport World Resorts from 8 to 10 September, is not your usual trade show. IAG...

Test of character

Test of character

by Newsdesk
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 11:28

Since its establishment in 1989, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has developed into the world’s most trusted name when it comes...

Evolution Asia
Evolution Asia
Aristocrat
GLI
Nustar
SABA
Mindslot
Solaire
Hann
Tecnet
NWR
NWR

Related Posts

Melco’s Tokyo office raided by Public Prosecutor as Akimoto scandal deepens

Melco prices new notes offering at US$500 million

by Newsdesk
Wed 17 Sep 2025 at 06:16

Melco Resorts & Entertainment subsidiary Melco Resorts Finance Limited has priced its international offering of senior notes at US$500 million aggregate principal amount of 6.500% senior notes due 2033. The proceeds will be used to redeem all outstanding 5.250% senior...

Tinian senator puts forward bill to offer online gaming licenses

Chinese nationals launch legal action over alleged fraudulent use of investment funds assigned for Tinian casino projects

by Newsdesk
Wed 17 Sep 2025 at 05:34

A group of more than 20 Chinese nationals have filed a complaint with the Supreme Court of the State of New York alleging misrepresentation of investment opportunities connected to development projects in the Northern Mariana Islands (notably Tinian), the diversion...

The changing face of Macau

Melco to launch private hospital at Macau’s Studio City as part of 10-year non-gaming concession commitment

by Ben Blaschke
Wed 17 Sep 2025 at 05:06

Melco Resorts & Entertainment has unveiled plans to house a private hospital focused on imaging and diagnostic medical services at its Studio City integrated resort in Macau – part of the company’s commitment to invest in non-gaming attractions. Parent firm...

The 2023 Asian Gaming Power 50: Ones to watch

Hong Kong Stock Exchange deems Andrew Lo unsuitable to be director of LET Group or Summit Ascent due to attempted Tigre de Cristal sale

by Ben Blaschke
Tue 16 Sep 2025 at 15:14

The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Ltd has imposed a Director Unsuitability Statement and a censure against Andrew Lo – the majority shareholder, Executive Director and Chairman of LET Group Holdings and Summit Ascent Holdings – deeming him unsuitable to...

Your browser does not support the video tag.


IAG

© 2005-2025
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • NEWSFEED
  • MAG ARTICLES
  • VIDEO
  • OPINION
  • TAGS
  • REGIONAL
  • EVENTS
  • CONSULTING
  • CONTRIBUTORS
  • MAGAZINES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE
  • 中文
  • 日本語

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • 中文
  • 日本語
  • Subscribe
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • Magazines
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • About
  • Home for G2E Asia

© 2005-2025
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • 中文
  • English
  • 日本語