A new federal law is expected to impede a move by certain sectors to allow Internet gambling in the Commonwealth.
House Speaker Oscar M. Babauta said yesterday that a pending legislation seeking to establish online gambling in the CNMI may face some setbacks after President Bush signed a bill that effectively criminalized placing online bets.
The CNMI bill, authored by Floor Leader Florencio Deleon Guerrero, has been pending in the House of Representatives for months now, Babauta said.
“The intent of the House bill is to allow and regulate Internet gambling in the Commonwealth, with Asia as the primary market. The bill's author says this industry can lead to about $6 million in revenues every year,” the speaker said.
“But naturally, if the U.S. government bans online gambling, there is no way that we can do it here in the CNMI,” he added.
Press secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. said that the administration did not have an official position on Internet gambling yet. He acknowledged however that there is some local interest in this kind of gaming industry.
“We will have to consider any federal legislation that may impact our decision. We do fall under the U.S. government and we need to abide by certain federal regulations. If there's a new law that bans Internet gaming, that may apply to the CNMI as well,” Reyes said.
“Our legal counsels will look at this carefully, assuming there is enough political support [for Internet gambling]. Again, it's not a very strong movement right now,” he added.
Nevertheless, he also said that the proposal was worth considering, given the decline of the CNMI's garment and tourism industries. Internet gambling, he said, may be one way to diversify the local economy.
Bush signed on Friday the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which prohibits online gamblers from using credit cards, checks and electronic fund transfers to place and settle bets. Banks and other U.S. financial institutions are barred from handling transactions involving online gambling.
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