The recent casino initiative on Saipan, an island in the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI), was voted down by residents although there are casinos on Tinian and voters on the island of Rota approved casinos at the ballot in a similar initiative. However, a bill seeking to exempt Saipan from a ban on gambling was presented in the House of Representatives just one day after the mid-term elections.

Bill 15-322 states that certain gambling activities are imperative in order to attract more tourists. The bill proposes allowing video lottery games, Texas Hold’em poker, blackjack and baccarat. There is surprise and opposition from people on Tinian and Rota, who are now facing further competition from gaming on the larger island of Saipan.

Citing the fact that popular games such as those provided by video lottery terminals could be an important source of revenue for the CNMI, the bill introduces amendments to an existing law and is said to be consistent with the CNMI constitution. The bill makes provision for gaming machine licences to be issued on an annual basis effective 1 January 2009 with all licences - new applications or renewals – to be installed with an operational central computerised monitoring system. (E-11.22.07)

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