Scratch card lottery launched to support NMI sports programs

Additional funding for the Northern Marianas Sports Association is expected to start coming in with the launch of the scratch card lottery system in various stores on Saipan.

The soft launch of the scratch card lottery was done two weeks ago and NMSA is urging the public to support their fundraising activity that would support their daily operations and various programs in the CNMI.

Northern Marianas Sports Association president Michael White, center, along with executive director Tony Rogolifoi and secretary Rose Igitol display the scratch card lottery tickets that are being sold in various Saipan stores. (Roselyn Monroyo)

NMSA, since becoming an independent and private group in 2013, is allowed to operate a public lottery system as stated in Public Law 18-49 and as defined in Section 9301 of Title 1 of the Commonwealth Code.

Aside from operating the public lottery system, NMSA’s funds would come from fees for use of sports facilities, and awarding of vending and advertising rights.

Steve Gibson, representative of Pacific Lotteries Ltd. of Australia, is on Saipan to assist NMSA with the fundraising project and is looking for a person who would be trained to manage the lottery system.

“I’m just here for a couple of months to help push NMSA’s fundraising project for the benefit of the youth and sports facilities. We’re also looking for an honest person that would oversee things, preferably someone who could converse with Chinese and Korean store owners,” Gibson told Saipan Tribune.

He said a total of 16,300 tickets have already been sold since the soft launch of the scratch card lottery system two weeks ago.

“It was an overwhelming response from the public. A lot of stores even ran out of tickets and that is why we have to deliver more. We’re happy with the result and it would start bringing in funds for NMSA,” added Gibson.

He said the scratch card tickets, which are printed in a high- security facility in Sri Lanka, will be initially sold on Saipan only, with plans of including Tinian and Rota at a later time.

“We’re starting on Saipan but there are plans of bringing it to Tinian and Rota to make it CNMI-wide. It will take some time to get it across there and train personnel that will handle the lottery system.”

NMSA president Michael White said now is the right time to operate the lottery scratch card system since the CNMI is set to compete in several off-island sporting events this year.

“The funds that would be collected would subsidize the CNMI team’s travels to off-island competitions, especially the Pacific Games this July in Papua New Guinea,” said White.

The scratch cards come in four different types: Hafa Adai, Lucky 7s, Quick Cash, and Tropical Treasure.

Scratch card players could win $5, $20, $50, and $100 instantly, which can be redeemed from the retail outlet. Pacific Lotteries officials will come to Saipan if someone wins the $1,000 jackpot prize to verify the ticket and award the person the cash prize.

This practice of sports governing bodies getting funds from revenues collected in bingo, casino, lottery, sweepstakes, and other games of chance is not new as Australia, Guam, the Philippines, and several other countries do the same.

In the Philippines, its government alone allots 5 percent of the income generated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., from the casinos it operates to finance the country’s sports development programs.

Some of the stores that sell the scratch card lottery tickets are Han Nam Supermarket in Koblerville, Twins Market and Lucky De Mart in Dandan, Kevin’s Mart in Susupe, Green Consume on Middle Road, Twins in Lower Navy Hill, New XO Market in Gualo Rai, Blue Sky Supermarket in Chalan Piao, and Dolphin Wholesale in San Jose.