The sole Saipan casino licensee and the Northern Marianas Government have traded threats after the non-payment of the $US15.5 million annual casino licence.
Flooding infront of the under-construction Imperial Pacific casino resort. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Mark Rabago
The government said Imperial Pacific could lose its licence because it failed to make the payment last month.
But our correspondent said Imperial Pacific wanted to pay the $15.5 million in 2029.
It was also asking for the $US3 million regulatory fee to be cut to $US1 million since the cessation of gaming in the territory, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, meant less oversight was needed.
On top of that, Imperial Pacific is threatening to sue the government for allowing poker machines and e-gaming to operate outside of the casino, which it says violates its exclusive licence.