Speaker Froilan C. Tenorio, Covenant-Saipan, said the House of Representatives will act on the bill this week.
Palacios, R-Saipan, said his bill will control Internet gambling “in a manner appropriate to the unique condition on the island and the aspiration of its people while maintaining certain central government functions and provisions applicable throughout the commonwealth.”
The bill, which is backed by the House leadership and the administration, will not apply to lottery, to the players at the Rota and Tinian casinos and Internet service providers.
It requires the Finance secretary to administer Internet gambling with the attorney general assisting in developing regulations.
The license will be for an initial term of one year and renewable from year-to-year upon payment of a license fee to be imposed by the Finance secretary.
There will be no limitation on the number of licenses available.
An operator will be required to obtain one license regardless of the number of the games conducted or the number of assumed names used by the operator.
To the extent that a remote game is based on actual play in a casino, the casino operator “shall regulate the integrity of a play and outcome of the game, provided that the Finance secretary shall retain jurisdiction over the integrity of the system of remote wagering and payment.”
Asked for comment, Senate President Paul A. Manglon, Ind.-Rota, said he still has to review the bill.
