Previous Story
House looks at raising casino fine ceiling 16 times
|
Posted on Nov 20 2017
The House of Representatives is going to look at increasing the maximum fine the Commonwealth Casino Commission could impose on the casino licensee after a bill that raised the ceiling was adopted.
The present ceiling of $50,000 is the maximum penalty the CCC could impose on Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC per violation.
The House Gaming Committee adapted Rep. Edwin K. Propst’s (Ind-Saipan) House Bill 20-50 last Tuesday. The bill seeks to raise the maximum penalty ceiling of $50,000 to $5 million. The committee lowered this to $800,000. The bill now goes to the House floor for a vote.
According to House Gaming Committee chair Rep. Joseph Deleon Guerrero (R-Saipan), the penalty ceiling would be the largest amount that could be imposed on a casino in the U.S.
“It is three times higher than any U.S. jurisdiction,” he said, adding that $5 million exceeds even Australia, Macau, and Singapore.
Deleon Guerrero said the $800,000 ceiling would “act as a deterrent.”
H.B. 20-50’s fines could be imposed on players, licensees, vendors, and even employees, said Deleon Guerrero.
CCC would be collecting the fines and enforcing the regulations.
