Pacific / Northern Marianas

Casino closure could cost CNMI government jobs

13:58 pm on 26 August 2015

Dynasty casino, Tinian, CNMI. Photo: RNZ / Mark Rabago

A number of jobs could go in the Tinian Government in the Northern Marianas because of a temporary shut down of casino operations at the Tinian Dynasty Hotel.

Casino revenues have been providing funding for 43 positions within the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission, the mayor's office, and at the Tinian Municipal Council.

Tinian's Mayor, Joey Patrick San Nicolas, says he may be unable to renew any employment contracts funded by Tinian's gaming industry.

He says as long as Tinian Dynasty's casino floors remain closed, so will the municipal coffers that support these local government jobs.

Typhoon Soudelor and the maintenance of Saipan airport's emergency fire truck have resulted in a downturn in the CNMI's tourism industry.