Previous Story
Tinian mayor pushes changes to local bill regulating cockfighting, two other games
Although Tinian Mayor Joey P. San Nicolas agrees with a local bill that seeks to regulate Tinian’s cockfighting, bingo, and batu games, he proposes that it receives several amendments before passage.
House Local Bill 19-26 seeks to authorize, establish, and regulate the operation of Chamorro gaming of cockfighting, bingo, and batu on Tinian. The bill was introduced by Rep. Edwin P. Aldan (Ind-Tinian).
Aldan’s bill seeks to place these traditional games under the regulatory powers of one gaming board. It will involve repealing the Tinian Cockfighting Act of 1988 and superseding the Tinian Cockfighting Board.
“Although I agree with every aspect of HLB 19-26 I would like to recommend amendments,” San Nicolas said.
Under Section 3a of HLB 19-26, Aldan’s bill provides for five board members appointed by the Tinian mayor, with the advice and consent of the Tinian Municipal Council. San Nicolas proposes that the advice and consent of the Tinian Municipal Council be removed.
San Nicolas also said that instead of limiting the cockfighting license to one year, it should be five years. He also recommends an amendment on the bingo and batu licenses to go from one year to three years instead.
Aldan’s bill also seeks to implement a bidding process wherein all three games’ minimum bids could be submitted to the proposed board. It proposes a minimum of $1,000 bid for a cockpit license, $200 for a bingo license, and $200 for a batu license.
San Nicolas said this should be amended and changed to a higher bidding fee for the license. His proposed amendment is $5,000 for cockfighting, $500 for bingo, and $500 for batu.
Aldan’s bill was introduced on June 4, 2015, and is with the Tinian and Aguiguan Legislative Delegation.
