Resorts World back on track as Imperial Pacific set for July opening

The finish line is in sight for Saipan’s Imperial Pacific, Resorts World Manila is allowed to reopen with beefed-up security, while Japan’s famous longevity apparently extends to its gambling industry as the authorities close what appears to be one of the country’s oldest illegal venues.

Saipan casino operator Imperial Pacific International Holdings (IPI) will open its permanent gaming venue this July after finally receiving permission from the local regulator.

According to Marianas Variety, the Commonwealth Casino Commission (CCC) has given IPI the green light to launch gaming operations at the unfinished Imperial Pacific Resort.

The company stated that it plans to hold an official opening ceremony at the Resort on or before 15 July. In the Philippines, Pagcor chair Andrea Domingo has given Resorts World Manila’s parent company Travellers International Hotel Group the go-ahead to resume its operations following the latter’s compliance with the regulator’s required security and safety improvements.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that Pagcor lifted the suspension order against Resorts World Manila on the condition that it hire a new security agency and experts to assess and improve safety and security systems; increase the number of x-ray machines and metal detectors in the property; and deploy additional armed guards.

In the Japanese city of Osaka, police have broken up what local authorities are calling the biggest illegal casino they’ve encountered in years. On 26 June, Osaka Prefectural Police arrested 24 individuals after disrupting a major illegal baccarat casino operating out of a building in the Minami entertainment district. Police seized five gaming tables and ¥9m ($80k) in cash, along with a further ¥200m ($1.8m) in cash in subsequent searches of buildings connected to the gambling operation.

One local resident told MBS News that people in the area were well aware that gambling was available at the property.

The man estimated that the illegal casino may have been operating for over two decades, possibly making it Japan’s longest serving table gaming venue.