GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres said he is willing to form a working group that will come up with a more reasonable increase in the annual license fee of e-gaming machines.
Early last month, he signed Saipan Local Law 22-6 which doubles the e-gaming license fee amid an economic downturn and global Covid-19 pandemic.
E-gaming operators, who have filed a complaint in Superior Court to prevent the law’s implementation, said they may have to shut down their establishments which will result in 70 local employees losing their jobs.
The new local law is supposed to raise additional revenue for the cash-strapped CNMI government.
It was unanimously passed by the Saipan legislative delegation without a committee review or public hearings.
“I understand that the business entities are struggling with the new fees [but] I believe that there has also got to be a solution,” he added.
The e-gaming operators said they are reaching out to the Saipan delegation so the local law can be amended. “We want to work with the delegation to ensure that the e-gaming industry remains viable, continues to pay reasonable taxes, contributes to the local economy, and continues to employ more than 70 local employees,” Mariana Entertainment general manager Bart Jackson said.
The governor said he is hoping the Saipan delegation “can come back and look at how we can maintain the [affected e-gaming operators] or any other potential companies that will come in, and see how we can have a working group to address concerns.”
The governor is also hoping that companies remain in the CNMI, that they continue to hire more locals, and provide revenue to the government.
“We do need additional revenue, and I have asked the Legislature to look at additional revenue-generating bills, but I’m not asking the Legislature to impose additional taxes on the community.”
Torres said the Legislature should also look into the potential of internet gaming.
“I hope that we can have that industry here in the next year or so. That will help all of us, the economy, and allow more hiring, create new opportunities for other businesses, and other ripple effects that are good for the CNMI,” the governor added.
Ralph DLG Torres
