Casino operator Imperial Pacific International Holdings failed to set a new VIP gambling turnover record in October but came awfully close.

In a filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Wednesday, Imperial Pacific said VIP turnover at its temporary casino on the island of Saipan hit $3.84b in October. The total is the second highest since the casino opened one year ago, and only slightly off September’s record $3.95b tally.

Imperial Pacific’s local subsidiary Best Sunshine International opened its ‘training facility’ in an upscale mall in October 2015 while awaiting completion of its permanent Saipan venue, which is scheduled to commence its phased opening in February 2017.

Imperial Pacific had until recently relied on direct relationships with its VIP clientele but September saw the Commonwealth Casino Commission issue its first junket operator license. Over a dozen other junkets are awaiting licensing scrutiny, but the Commission says it will only consider applicants that have been pre-approved by Imperial Pacific, as it’s the only game in town.