Known as the Commonwealth Remote Gaming Act, House Bill 17-186 will allow existing licensed casino operators in the CNMI to offer “tele-casino” via the internet, the telephone or other means.
The Rota and Tinian gaming commissions are the only two casino operators in the CNMI.
The bill will allow them to apply with the Department of Finance for a license to operate “remote” games.
The license is for one year renewable every year for up to $1,000 per location.
The remote game, the bill said is based on actual play conducted live by a licensed casino and transmitted simultaneously. No electronic or previously recorded game will be permitted.
The revenue from this operation “shall be deemed to have been earned or collected in the senatorial district of the licensed casino.”
The Finance secretary, the bill stated, “shall collect any gross revenue, surtax or gambling revenue tax. Such revenues shall be available for appropriation and the Finance secretary shall collect and deposit into the commonwealth treasury any tax revenue from tele-casino.”
