Red Warrior Entertainment CEO Ronald Pate, Chickasaw.
Red Warrior Entertainment CEO Ronald Pate, Chickasaw.
On Monday,
an American news agency published a release from Red Warrior Entertainment,
claiming Tonga's Cabinet had formalised an agreement including a casino, more
than two weeks ago. In a statement, the government said a proposal was received
in November for a development known as the Tavake Tamafua Tourism Investment
Project.
Red Warrior
Entertainment announced that it has received the "Exclusive National Master
Gaming License” from the government of Tonga. According to the U.S. company,
the license is "the first of its kind issued from Tonga and covers all Class I,
II & III Gaming.”
Red Warrior
Entertainment CEO Ronald Pate, Chickasaw, said the license "was issued upon
approval at His Majesty’s Cabinet decision No. 1194” last Nov 4. Pate also
claimed to have received a formal letter and proclamation from the Minister of
Customs last Nov. 24, while the license agreement was completed last Jan. 9.
The
proposal included an airport hotel and shopping mall, luxury villas and a
gaming resort. The statement said Cabinet supported the project subject to
legal documents, plans and due diligence. However, on November 11 Cabinet
decided to support only the hotel, mall and villas and not the gaming resort.
Tonga’s
Prime Minister Office, however, denied the claim. In a statement, government
officials pointed out that gambling is prohibited in the islands under Tonga’s
Criminal Offences Act 1926, so "any intention from Red Warrior Entertainment or
any casino company to apply for a gaming license would be futile.”
Cabinet
also asked that the full plan for the project be submitted for final
consideration and approval. The Government said gambling was illegal in Tonga
so an application for a gaming license would be futile. The Government said any
proposal that could be deemed to disrupt the peace and harmony of society would
be carefully scrutinised.
Source: GMB / CalvinAyre.com
