Saipan’s troubled casino operator, Imperial Pacific International (IPI) LLC, is again making headlines as its assets go under the hammer in a new auction organized by the appointed receiver. This time, the spotlight falls on IPI’s prestigious collection of Rolls Royce cars and its famed Crystal Dragons. The online auction, facilitated by Clear Management Ltd, commenced on Monday, 18 March, following the recent sale of IPI’s high-end liquor.

Luxury Cars Are Looking for a New Owner

The first vehicle auction is scheduled to close on 11 April, with the Crystal Dragon auction concluding on 22 August. Interested parties can purchase 11 cars varying significantly in value. Two 2017 Rolls-Royce Ghosts with a starting bidding price of $23,000 mark the most intriguing opportunity, providing unparalleled comfort and luxury.

According to the auction website, the two vehicles are pristine and immaculately maintained, with just under 6,000 miles traveled for the more used car. Danny Ewing, Clear Management operations director and former IPI employee, commented on the matter for media outlet IAG, noting that the two Rolls-Royce Ghosts reflected Saipan Casino’s vision to match VIP destinations like Macau.

We expected strong interest in these from CNMI and Guam, but what has surprised us is the interest from the Philippines and mainland USA.

Danny Ewing, Clear Management operations director

The auction’s winner will likely have to pay a significant amount to transport the vehicles overseas, but a low enough purchase price could justify these expenses. Such cars appeal to collectors, VIPs, or establishments like luxury hotels that value prestige and comfort. Any would-be buyer will also purchase a piece of history, taking home a part of Saipan’s failed casino resort dream.

Connoisseurs Can Purchase a Unique Piece of Art

While the two Rolls-Royce are undoubtedly impressive, the two Crystal Dragons adorning the Saipan Casino foyer represent the auction’s primary highlight. The stunning crystal gem-studded sculpture spans over 60 meters, featuring two dragons fighting over a flaming pearl. 2.5 million Swarovski crystals make up the dragons’ scales, while a state-of-the-art lighting system allows the sculpture to change color almost instantly.

Designed by renowned manufacturer LASVIT, the Saipan Crystal Dragons have an initial bidding price of $100,000. Finding a fitting buyer for the sculpture could be significantly more challenging due to its price tag, transportation difficulties, and limited utility. However, Ewing revealed that several parties have already expressed interest, raising hopes that the Dragons can find a fitting home.

The Crystal Dragons are unique art pieces and deserve a 5-star setting. All discussions to date have been with potential buyers in the Middle East.

Danny Ewing, Clear Management operations director

Amidst these auctions, IPI finds itself embroiled in revocation hearings with the Commonwealth Casino Commission (CCC) regarding its Saipan casino license. As IPI navigates these challenges, the auction of its prized assets reflects a strategic move to mitigate financial pressures amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny. Whether the auction proceeds will alleviate IPI’s woes or serve as a temporary solution remains uncertain.

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At the start of August, 18 months after its collapse, the Crystal Cruises line was brought back to life with the much-anticipated debut of its first pair of renovated ships. 

Parent company A&K Travel Group, which acquired Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony along with a few assets in 2022, also spoke about their plans to build four additional cruise ships. Two of the ships would be designed for expedition purposes while the other two would be used for ocean exploration.

Now, the line that is mostly popular in the US for the time being, has also expressed its plans to restore the two casinos that were an integral part of two of the largest cruise ships belonging to operator Crystal Cruises by Q3 2024.

Active Talks with a Concessionaire 

A Crystal spokeswoman clarified that the management of the line was currently involved in conversations with a concessionaire regarding the way they could bring back the two casinos that were removed from the two ships during refurbishment.

A&K Travel Group’s chief executive officer, Cristina Levis, spoke about the space occupied by the casinos which was, in their opinion, “too big”. Using a survey of the original line’s past guests, Crystal’s new management tried to establish the best course of action for the massive space left vacant by the removal of the casinos from the two cruise liners that were auctioned off on June 7, 2022. 

According to the results of the survey, only 5% of them would refuse to sail on a cruise ship that does not have a functioning casino. The findings were presented to travel advisors during Serenity’s inaugural sail that took place on July 31 from Marseille for a Mediterranean cruise.

In response, travel advisors spoke about the importance of a casino on board for many of their guests, thus convincing CEO Levis to rethink the new line’s strategy and start looking for solutions.

Symphony’s shakedown cruise that sailed on September 1 from Athens via the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Canada, New England, Alaska, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. 

Levis took the opportunity to express her new plans to address the issue of the missing casinos on the two ships while also mentioning the existence of a potential location for the two gambling spaces. The new location would not take up as much space as the previous casinos. 

The Casinos, Currently Replaced with Lounges

At the moment, the original casino spaces on the ships were replaced with lounge spaces, with further management plans of turning them into show kitchens where cooking demonstrations would take place. 

Previously owned by Genting Hong Kong, Crystal Cruises escaped bankruptcy and liquidation last year. Its comeback in 2023 under the new ownership of Heritage Group via A&K Travel Group Ltd. and the management of VShips Leisure is expected to usher in a new era of “Exceptional Suites, Exceptional Service, Exceptional Dining, and Exceptional Experiences.”

In March, Crystal and Signature Travel Network inked an agreement that would turn the latter into the cruise line’s pioneer strategic sales and marketing supplier.

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Arsenal is the No. 2 favorite to win the 2023-24 Premier League, but the Gunners did not impress much in the opening round. Sure, they did win against Nottingham, but the score was just 2-1, which is kind of embarrassing as the game was played on their turf.

A week later, they’re locking horns with Crystal Palace, their rival from South London, and a team with which they’ve got a pretty decent record. The Eagles started their EPL campaign with a 1-0 win over Sheffield United on the road, but even their hardest fans don’t think they stand a good chance of doing the same to Arsenal this coming Monday. But maybe they can grab themselves a draw?

Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal Odds

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: Selhurst Park in London, England
• Date: Monday, August 21, 2023
• Time: 3:00 PM ET
• How to Watch: Peacock

Crystal Palace Praying for Another Good Result

Despite a win in the first round, Crystal Palace isn’t expected to have a good season. The thing is that the Eagles’ roster just doesn’t look as good as last season when they finished 11^th. It’s because during the summer transfer window, a number of important players left them – Wilfred Zaha (to Galatasaray), Luka Milivojevic (Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai), and Jack Butland (Rangers).

Plus, James McArthur decided to retire at the end of the last season, while Albert Sambi Lokonga’s loan deal expired, so he moved back to Arsenal. So, how did they get a win on the road in the first round of the new EPL season?

Well, it’s because they played against Sheffield United, a team that played in the Championship last season. They were much better against the Blades, but the fact is that they’re nowhere near the Gunners in terms of player quality.

Arsenal Planning to Challenge for the EPL Title (Again)

It’s been 20 years since Arsenal won the Premier League the last time. Getting ahold of the trophy won’t be easy as Manchester City has no intention of giving it away, but if there’s a team that can end the dominance of the Citizens, it’s Arsenal.

In August 2023, Mikel Arteta’s team looks really good. Sure, there are a couple of players on the injury list, but overall, the Gunners look capable of challenging for the trophy. They’re strong in every single area of the game, although their offense isn’t that sharp at the moment. But that’s bound to change once Gabriel Jesus returns from an injury.

This is probably the reason why they didn’t score more than two goals against Nottingham in the first round. Another possible reason is that that their players were a bit frustrated because of the 30-minute delay of the game caused by the failure of the electronic ticketing system at Emirates.

But that’s all in the past, and they’re ready for the South London duel with Crystal Palace. They’re coming to Selhurst Park to grab all three points as no other option is on the table if they want to win the title this year.

Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal Prediction

Arsenal has title ambitions this year, which is why winning games against opponents like Crystal Palace is a must. That said, we’re almost 100% certain they’ll win all three points on Monday.

Pick: Arsenal to win

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Twenty-seven rounds have passed in the 2022-23 Premier League and Arsenal are still sitting top of the table. What’s got to worry the Gunners is that the reigning champions are breathing by their necks with only five points fewer.

What this means is that if they want to win their first EPL title since 2004, they need to keep on winning. The game with Crystal Palace seems like a great opportunity for Mikel Arteta’s men to record another win. Are we going to see them do it?

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Odds

*Odds taken from bet365 on Friday, March 17, 2023.

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: Emirates Stadium in London, England
• Date: Sunday, March 19, 2023
• Time: 10 PM ET
• How to Watch: Telemundo

Arsenal Taking Things Super Seriously

The Gunners are sitting at the top of the table, showing no signs that they’re gonna drop out of there anytime soon. Their form in the English top flight has been nothing short of phenomenal with five wins in a row.

They did lose on the continent, though. Last Thursday, they suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Portuguese side, Sporting CP. As a result, their European journey has finished for this season. However, this isn’t a disaster necessarily. It allows the Gunners to focus entirely on the Premier League. That said, you can be certain that they’re gonna go all-in on Sunday against their rivals from South London.

Crystal Place Hoping to End Their Horrible Run

The Eagles are without a single win in 2023 in all competitions. Plus, they lost each of their last three games. As a result, they’re out of the FA Cup, while in the Premier League, they’ve dropped dangerously close to the relegation zone.

Right now, they’re in the No. 12 place in the EPL standings, which may not seem too bad at first glance. However, they got only three points more than the closest team stuck in the relegation zone.

The main reason behind their abysmal run is that their offense has been very anemic. These guys haven’t scored a single goal in their last four. Plus, the last time we saw Crystal Palace put away more than one goal was on New Year’s Eve.

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Prediction

This is a must-win game for the Gunners in their effort to win their first Premier League title in 19 years. Everything is going in their favor ahead of the Crystal Palace game, so anything but a big win on Sunday would be a huge upset.

Picks: Arsenal to win & over 2.5 goals

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