Tonga Government clarifies Red Warrior Entertainment’s license not for casino operation

The Tongan government said a license issued to foreign gaming investor Red Warrior Entertainment (RWE) would not allow them to operate casino gaming or gambling in the Kingdom.

The Ministry of Customs and Revenue CEO Kulu ʻAnisi Bloomfield said yesterday the licence issued was for the foreign investor to build a hotel and an “airport facility”.

The responses from government came after Kaniva News questioned the RWE license agreement and conditions.

Dr Ronald D. Pate, Chickasaw, Principal of the Company and Chief Executive Officer of Red Warrior Entertainment, LLC  reportedly said on Monday the Tongan government has issued his company with an “Exclusive National Master Gaming License”.

He said it is “the first of its kind issued from Tonga and covers all Class I, II & III gaming”.

Kaniva News has contacted Tonga’s Ministry of Labour and Commerce to provide more details about the agreements and conditions laid out on Tonga’s Class I, II and III gaming licences.

They have yet to respond.

According to Indian Country Media Network, a Class III gaming licence allows the licensee to operate “horse racing, lotteries and what are commonly known as casino games, such as banking-card games like baccarat and blackjack, roulette, craps and slot machines”.

Bloomfield said the license“was approved on tourism grounds and casino gaming is prohibited in Tonga”.

He said the government has set up an Investment Sub-Committee to monitor and analyse foreign investment applications before submitting them to cabinet.

Tonga’s Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet Dr Palenitina Langa’oi told Kaniva News the cabinet “did not pass any resolution to allow the Red Warrior Entertainment to build a casino facility in Tonga”.

Dr Pate said: “…this Exclusive Gaming License was issued upon approval at His Majesty’s Cabinet, decision No. 1194, on the 4th November, 2016 and by formal letter and proclamation from the Minister of Customs dated 24th November, 2016, and completed License Agreement on 9th January, 2017.

“Red Warrior Entertainment, LLC continues to improve its casino resort government licenses in multiple nations”, said Dr. Pate.

Dr. Pate said he will provide more details today about his exclusive license and what sort of venture he is planning to undertake in Tonga.



Photo (L-R) Dr Palenitina Langaʻoi, Dr Ronald Pate and CEO ʻAnisi Bloomfield
   
Source:
Kaniva News