Internet gaming bill back in committee

A House of Representatives bill that would allow internet gaming in the CNMI has been sent back to the House Committee on Gaming, for the panel to further study the law’s impact on the community.

House Bill 21-31, introduced by vice speaker Lorenzo I. Deleon Guerrero (R-Saipan), would authorize each senatorial district in the CNMI—Saipan, Tinian, and Rota—to establish and regulate Internet gaming.

The Gaming Committee, chaired by Rep. Ralph N. Yumul (R-Saipan), has already recommended the passage of the bill, saying it finds no risks to the community if “properly regulated.”

Rep. Tina Sablan (Ind-Saipan) pointed out, though that the CNMI Office of the Attorney General says it is not clear which agency would regulate internet gaming if it is signed into law.

“The [Commonwealth] Casino Commission, do they have the capacity to do that? When we know that they don’t have the capacity to properly regulate the casino industry right now,” Sablan said. “The bill [nor] the committee report…address the AG’s concerns on the constitutionality of having Senatorial Districts regulate these matters.”

When asked, Yumul said no public hearings were held on the bill since the gaming committee didn’t see any conflict “since we are pretty much enhancing the gaming industry in the CNMI. There will be a companion bill and that would allow us to do public hearings.”

“Any concern that may be brought up can be discussed there. We are just allowing additional gaming enhancement in the CNMI that would benefit each senatorial district. If members believe otherwise, we would accept it and go through the process of a public hearing,” Yumul said.

Minority leader Rep. Edwin K. Propst (Ind-Saipan) said he does not oppose the idea of allowing internet gaming in the CNMI, but thinks that more time is needed to review the bill “so that the concerns by the AG and anybody who is not a member of the gaming committee might be addressed.”

“Because of our current economic state, we want to push for any revenue generating bill as much as possible. But we have to remember that we have a duty to ensure that we put the best bills forward and in the best language possible,” Propst added.

Deleon Guerrero sees no problem in having his bill return to the gaming committee. “We are financially struggling and this bill does not establish regulations on entities or agencies; it only allows senatorial districts for revenue generating process. if they want to bring the bill back to the committee for further discussion, I’m amenable.”

Rep. Joseph Leepan T. Guerrero (R-Saipan) is less optimistic. He believes the bill might not prosper. “Even though if we pass this [H.B. 21-31], the AG will have a different opinion. I’m not saying no on the intent of this bill but we must look into it more closely.”