Gambling News | 18 Aug 2021

Due to the high tax rate, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands will turn off nearly half of its electronic gambling machines

The gambling alternatives available in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are about to change (CNMI). MP Holdings LLC has opted to shut down over 50% of its online gambling machines due to an unexpected increase in taxation. Due to the tax problems, the firm, which runs two facilities in the area, won't be hosting as many games.

Information on the Shutdown

The Saipan Country Club and the Club 88 property are both run by MP Holdings LLC. The last day for Club 88 will be August 27. There are 73 machines at this place. With the shutdown, 30 people would lose their employment altogether. The twofold licence price that the government laid forth in early August is something that the operator does not wish to pay.

The choice was made soon after the Saipan Country Club was shut down by the firm. The decision to close was taken in an effort to reduce operating expenses. Saipan Vegas will continue to be run by MP Holdings LLC unless they decide to shut it down as well.

Gus Noble, a spokesperson for MP Holdings, said he sought to contact local officials to get a better understanding but hasn't heard back yet. The new regulation will demand either $2,500 per machine or 15% of its net earnings. This sum is in addition to the existing tax rate that is paid.

Operators currently pay $100,000 to licence each location, and they also pay a 5% tax on their gross receipts. According to Noble, the government's effort to increase income would fail because the corporation will simply exclude machines from the equation.

A new casino licence

The tax modification comes shortly after it was announced that CNMI may be getting a second casino licence. According to reports, two senators are collaborating to develop a plan for adding a new gambling establishment. The single casino licence in the area is now held by Imperial Pacific International Holdings Ltd.

The business launched the Imperial Palace Saipan in 2017, however it has had trouble finishing the building of a connecting hotel tower. After the COVID-19 outbreak forced the closure of the casino, the Commonwealth Gaming Commission concluded that the operator's licence should be suspended because they were unable to pay more than $25 million in debt.

The latest Senate Bill 22-23 describes the problems with Imperial Pacific and how aiding the regional gaming sector with a second casino licence would work.