Casino license revoked in Fiji

In December 2011 One Hundred Sands was given a 15 year exclusive casino license for the construction of a US$ 290m casino and resort in Denarau Nadi. The Government had passed legislation in 2010 to enable the operation of 20,000 slot machines, 5,000 table games, offer pari-mutuel wagering and internet gambling.

The construction was to be started in 2012 and full operations were to begin in October 2013.

One Hundred Sands was given two licences, one to operate in Denarau island in Nadi and the other one in Suva. In April 2012, the Prime Minister and the Attorney General were part of the official ground breaking ceremony in Denarau Nadi.

However, developer Larry Claunch was unable to secure the land and had to relocate to a site near the Denarau Bridge, after pressure from the government.

The first ultimatum to begin the project was issued by the government in October 2013 with a US$100,000 fine for every month the company delayed work. Since last March One Hundred Sands has accumulated US$1.1million in fines.

The Native American Snoqualmie Tribe which invested US$1.5m in the failed project, has sued One Hundred Sands to recoup its money.

Three years after the proposed casino was to take form – all we have to show for it, is a piece of undeveloped land.