Bill to allow internet gambling in NMI
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REPRESENTATIVE Ralph N. Yumul on Thursday introduced a still unnumbered bill that would allow internet gambling in the CNMI.
"Considering that the casino on Saipan is locked, what do we do? How do we address [our obligation to the] retirees? How do we address the [revenue] shortfall?" Yumul asked in an interview after the House session.
Under his bill, gambling activities allowed in the CNMI would include "electronic gaming websites or other internet-accessible software applications through which bets may be placed…provided they are licensed."
The electronic gaming websites that would be allowed include but are not limited to:
1) Games of chance or skill, such as roulette, blackjack, craps, slots.
2) The outcome of or discrete elements of sports and esport matches, tournaments or leagues.
3) The outcome of special events such as reality television shows or political elections or appointments.
According to the bill, all electronic gaming websites and software applications must comply with the standards set by the Finance secretary to ensure they are honest, secure, reliable and auditable.
Yumul said although gambling activities happen on the internet and are played by people regardless of their location in the world, an investor will be required to operate an internet gambling activity from a business office in the CNMI.
All the money transactions will be conducted through a blockchain, Yumul said. The CNMI government would regulate and collect taxes and fees from the internet gaming operator, he added.
The transfer of money shares a similarity with the principles of PayPal, Yumul said, adding that internet gambling is “something to consider.”
“I am just proposing it,” he said. “My responsibility as chairman of the House Gaming Committee is to come up with something that can work here."
He said New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Michigan and West Virginia offer internet casino gambling.
“The good thing about it is that gambling is not played on the island and there's no promise of a hotel resort or a building. The gambling operations are all going to be computerized, and they will have to follow applicable U.S. laws,” Yumul said,
"We are exploring this avenue now, rather than dealing with one investor wanting to do one gambling operation in the CNMI," he said, referring to Imperial Pacific International.
Yumul said his bill is “something the CNMI needs to look at, but we are not going to rush it. We are going to listen to the members of the community and see if we are ready for this kind of gaming activity."
