A South Korean-based company, IH-Group, aims to open a casino/resort on Rota come 2025. However, despite international news articles reporting that IH-Group has started renovating the Rota Resort & Country Club, the Department of Public Lands clarifies that this is not the case as the property remains up for proposals.

According to international news articles, IH-Group is currently renovating the Rota Resort & Country Club with the plan to open a casino, a 276-room hotel, and a waterpark as early as 2025.

However, in an interview with DPL Secretary Teresita Santos (along with confirmation from DPL’s real-estate division) she said that the property remains under RFP (request for proposals) with a closing date of Nov. 10.

Santos explained that the request for proposals in regard to the Rota Resort property was announced back in August and initially ended in September. However, DPL decided to extend the announcement to November.

Saipan Tribune learned that IH-Group has submitted a proposal for the Rota Resort property.

Meanwhile, in a statement from Sen. Paul Manglona (Ind-Rota), he said the company was granted a conditional casino and internet gaming license in July after paying the Rota Casino Commission about $200,000.

The company, in order to keep its conditional license, will have to pay the Rota Casino Commission $200,000 a year.

This license will allow IH-Group to conduct onsite and online casino operations on Rota.

However, Manglona explains that the licenses are conditional.

Saipan Tribune also learned that IH-Group’s future plans also include establishing two more casinos and an online gaming operation. IH-Group already has a venue with five baccarat tables, one blackjack table, and 30 slot machines on the island.

In related news, in a statement from Commonwealth Casino Commission commissioner Mariano Taitano, he says he hopes the casino industry on Rota succeeds.

“I just hope that Rota casino industry thrives and succeeds for the betterment of our brothers and sisters of the beautiful island of Luta,” he said.

IH-Group is the Korea-based company that signed a $150-million investment contract with Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC two years ago to continue the construction of IPI’s hotel-casino on Saipan, and operate it.