Saipan Slot Parlors: We’re Paying for Imperial Pacific’s Incompetence
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Saipan slot machine clubs are unhappy with the new law that requires them to pay more taxes. Club 88 operator MARIANA Entertainment LLC and MP Holdings LLC took their complaint to the CNMI Superior Court yesterday. They want the government to intervene and reverse the decision. If it doesn't, the local gambling market is close to shutting down. The new measure adds a new fee on each machine, requiring operators to paid an additional $2,500 or 15% of net gaming revenue per slot.
New taxes on slot parlors are not a necessity. The law was proposed by Representative Ralph Yumul, the brother of IPI CEO Ray N. Yumsul. IPi has a history of missteps and owes $18 million to CNMI government in licenses and fees. Imperial Palace remains closed due to COVID-19 and the expansion IP I promised to have completed by now may not be done for another five years.
