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Electronic gaming regs amended
Emergency electronic gaming regulations have been amended to, among other things, raise the cap on the number of electronic games licenses active in a single electronic gaming facility—from 100 to now 175. But the cap on the number of electronic game licenses remains at 1,000 annually.
Finance Secretary Larrisa Larson approved the emergency regulations on April 24, and concurred by Gov. Eloy S. Inos on the same day.
The regulations amend the acceptable manufacture date of electronic games—from “before 1-1-2012” to “before 1-1-2006.”
It also amends the required return on wagers—from between 85 percent and 95 percent to 88 percent and 97 percent.
Rep. Tony Sablan (Ind-Saipan), author of the electronic gaming bill that became law, said yesterday that some of the amendments resulted from the concerns he raised.
“They have something to do with requirements that were not in the legislation. They have gone beyond what the legislation’s intent was,” Sablan told Saipan Tribune.
Other adjustments to the previously established regulations clarify that violations of applicable rules may be grounds for imposition of civil fines and suspension of licenses, and amend the communications protocol that is required.
Strategic Gaming Solutions Inc., one of the electronic gaming investors, said the original proposed rules were “too restrictive” and, like what Sablan said, “go far beyond the provisions” of the law.
The regulations provide structure for the implementation of Public Law 18-30 or the Tourism Entertainment and Destination Act of 2013 that was signed on Dec. 13, 2013.
The law amends the definition of gambling device “to exclude electronic gaming.” Under the law, electronic gaming machines are allowed only in hotels on Saipan with at least 100 rooms or, if they have fewer than 100 rooms, should be attached to a golf course. It was one of the revenue-generating bills that passed the Legislature the past year; others include video lottery and casino gaming on Saipan.
