Inos Approves Video Lottery Gaming Law For CNMI SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety/PIR, Oct. 08, 2013) — Governor Eloy S. Inos yesterday (October 7) signed into law a measure allowing video lottery in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Inos informed Senate President Ralph DLG Torres, R-Saipan, and Speaker Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, IR-Saipan, that House Bill 18-100 is now Public Law 18-20. The author of the bill, Rep. Tony R. Agulto, IR-Saipan, expressed his gratitude to the governor, saying he was happy that the Legislature and the administration are now moving forward with revenue-generating measures. Agulto also thanked members of the Senate and his colleagues in the House for supporting his bill which also creates a lottery commission that includes the Department of Public Safety commissioner and the Department of Commerce secretary. In an interview yesterday (October 7), the Precinct 5 lawmaker said the CNMI is in dire need of additional revenue to help pay retirees and fund essential services. Supported by the administration, the measure also limits the locations of video lottery terminals to golf resorts, hotels with 100 rooms and departure areas at the airports. The video lottery terminals, operating under a controlled and regulated wide-area network via a centrally connected computer system are part of the internet technology advancement that can provide much needed accountability and transparency including responsible gaming in the lottery industry. Defined contribution The governor also signed Vice Speaker Francisco S. Dela Cruz’s House Bill 18-46, now Public Law 18-21, which allows members of the defined contribution (DC) plan to withdraw their money without being required to terminate their employment. Public Law 17-82 made the DC plan voluntary for government employees but it does not allow them to withdraw their money prior to the termination of their employment. DC plan members, however, can withdraw their money for the following reasons: "medical care, purchase of house, postsecondary education tuition and related educational fees, prevention from eviction of the member from home, and any need prescribed by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, in a revenue ruling, notice, or other document of general applicability that satisfies the safe-harbor definition of hardship."
Posted on: Thu, 10 Oct 2013 11:16:34 +0000
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