House Committee on Gaming Chairman Ralph N. Yumul, left background, talks about the proposed revision of House Bill 23-85, shown on a computer monitor, while House Vice Speaker Joel Camacho and Rep. Marissa Flores listen during a committee meeting in the House chamber on Monday.
THE House Committee on Gaming on Monday revised House Bill 23-85, which would amend the electronic gaming law.
Rep. Ralph N. Yumul, who chairs the committee, said H.B. 23-85 proposes to allow certain hotels in Garapan with 30 bedrooms to operate electronic gaming machines.
Signed by then-Gov. Eloy S. Inos in Dec. 2023, P.L. 18-30 or the Tourism Entertainment and Destination Enhancement Act allows hotels with 100 or more rooms to run electronic gaming activities on Saipan. A hotel with less than 100 hotel rooms can also have electronic gaming activities provided that the hotel is attached to a golf course.
H.B. 23-85 would apply to 30-room hotels in Garapan bordered by Orchid St. on the south, Beach Road on the east, Micro Beach Road on the north and Coral Tree Avenue on the west.
These hotels are designed for short-term stays, with each room measuring 135 square feet.
Existing electronic gaming establishments outside this area of Garapan would still be required to maintain 100 or more hotel rooms, and/or attached to a golf course.
During their meeting on Monday, the committee members mentioned that there are three hotels in the Garapan area that would be eligible to apply for an electronic gaming license if the bill becomes law.
These are the Hanamitsu Hotel at Paseo De Marianas, the Micro Beach Hotel at the corner of Coral Avenue and Palm St., and the Pacific Island Inn on the second floor of Jonny’s Bar on Beach Road.
Yumul said the committee would schedule public hearings to allow the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, the Hotel Association of the NMI, electronic gaming operators and other members of the community to comment on the revised version of H.B. 23-85.
Also present in the committee meeting on Monday were House Floor Leader Edwin Propst, House Vice Speaker Joel Camacho, Reps. Marissa Flores and Angelo A. Camacho.
