Hearings will check if community is OK with internet gaming
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Rep. Ralph N. Yumul (Ind-Saipan) has introduced a bill that will allow internet gaming in the CNMI and the House of Representatives’ Gaming Committee, which he chairs, will be soliciting public comments on the proposal.
He said they will conduct multiple hearings to see if the community will consider another form of gaming, which he described as a revenue generating measure.
Yumul stated in the legislation that the casino industry on Saipan did not come to fruition as expected and the Commonwealth has suffered immeasurable financial economic losses. Despite such unfortunate circumstances and cognizant of the global crises that the community has undergone such as the COVID-19 pandemic and super typhoons Soudelor and Yutu, the bill states that internet gaming, or iGaming, would result in economic benefit to the Commonwealth.
Yumul said internet casinos or iCasinos, otherwise known as virtual casinos or online casinos, are considered to be web-based internet versions of traditional casinos.
He said iCasinos provide greater advantages than traditional land-based casinos. Such benefits include playing at the player’s convenience from the comfort of his or her own device; greater privacy and security; utilizing multiple modes of payments and depositing and withdrawing at ease; larger variety of games that are not found in land-based casino; offering large bonuses that help incentivize and improve gaming experiences; and the lack of foot traffic that will improve the pace of play.
Yumul said the Commonwealth can utilize such advantages and gain significant economic benefits from the global iCasino market.
He said with such exposure and stern regulatory powers, the Commonwealth will be able to generate additional revenues without utilizing government resources to accommodate such an industry.
He said the Commonwealth will become a pioneer in a young and growing industry and gain significant global exposure.
Under the bill, “gambling device” also means electronic gaming websites, or other internet-accessible software applications, through which bets may be placed and are licensed as required by the Commonwealth Code.
These electronic gaming websites, or other internet-accessible software applications include a computer or server and any related hardware, software or other devices that are used to conduct gaming over the internet, either as a fully automated version or as a semi-automated version where the collection of bets and payout of winnings are automated.
Electronic gaming websites include the facility to gamble or wager on games of chance or skill such as roulette, blackjack, craps, slots.
Electronic gaming websites also include the facility to gamble or wager on the outcome of or discrete elements of sports and e-sports matches, tournaments or leagues; and the outcome of special events such as reality television shows or political elections or appointments.
The license fee for electronic gaming websites, or other internet-accessible software applications shall be $25,000 for the first website or application and $2,500 for each additional website or application operated by some licensee, issued on a calendar year basis, payable in advance in one installment.
Those websites or internet connected applications licensed by the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission or similarly established gaming commission or other regulatory entity on Saipan and Rota shall be exempt from paying annual fees.
