Previous Story
Internet gaming bill hearings start
|
Posted on May 30 2019
The House Gaming Committee is set to begin the process of gathering the pulse of the community on an internet gaming bill with a public hearing on June 5 at 5:30pm at the House of Representatives chamber on Capital Hill.
House Bill 21-31, the Internet Gaming Act of 2019, which was introduced by vice speaker Lorenzo I. Deleon Guerrero (R-Saipan), seeks to allow each senatorial district to establish and regulate internet gaming in their respective jurisdictions.
Gaming committee chair Rep. Ralph N. Yumul (R-Saipan) is asking the Commonwealth Casino Commission and the Saipan Chamber of Commerce to provide written testimonies before the public hearing while any oral testimony may also be given on the same day.
The committee is encouraging the public to attend the public hearing or submit their written testimonies three days before June 5.
The committee had already recommended H.B. 21-31’s passage in the House, based on its findings that internet gaming does not pose any risk to the community’s welfare if properly regulated.
The bill was, however, sent back to the committee for more discussions and studies on its impact.
The Office of the Attorney General said the bill is also unclear on who or which agency would regulate internet gaming in the three senatorial districts.
Several House members, led by Rep. Tina Sablan (Ind-Saipan), echoed the OAG’s concern.
In last month’s House session, Yumul said the committee does not see any conflict as the bill would enhance the CNMI’s gaming industry. He also affirmed that no public hearings were done before the committee completed its report to recommend the passage of H.B. 21-31.
“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,” said Yumul at the session.
