Title 10, Local Laws

Casino Games. (a) The Commission may, by notification in a publication, notify any game as a game that may be conducted or played in a casino pursuant to a casino license. (b) The notification in respect of a game shall include an account of the rules for the playing of the game.…

Assistance to Patrons in Relation to Rules of Games. (a) A casino operator shall: (1) at the request of any casino patron, make available for his examination a copy of the rules of gaming in respect of any particular game as notified for the time being in a publication; (2) displ…

Obligation of Casino Operator in Relation to Conduct of Games. (a) A casino operator shall ensure that in any game in which playing cards are used such cards are at all times dealt from an item of gaming equipment specifically designated for that purpose and known as a “card shoe…

Casino Operator May Accept Credit Wagers, etc. (a) A casino operator or an authorized employee of a casino operator may, in connection with any gaming: (1) accept a credit wager from any person; (2) issue credit to a licensed junket enterprise; (3) provide cash or chips to any pe…

Short Title. This chapter may be known and cited as the Saipan Cockfighting Act of 1994. Source: Saipan LL 9-8, § 1. Commission Comment: Saipan LL 9-8 took effect May 11, 1995. According to Saipan LL 9-8, § 2, “[c]hapter 3 of the Saipan Municipal Code is hereby repealed in its en…

Cockpit Board. There is hereby established a Saipan Cockpit Board, which shall consist of five members to be appointed by the Mayor of Saipan. Source: Saipan LL 9-8, § 3 (§ 3301); Saipan LL 17-5 § 2 (December 5, 2010). Commission Comment: Saipan Local Law 17-5 (enacted on Decembe…

Term and Compensation. The members of the board shall be appointed for a term of one year and shall receive no compensation, but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the course of their official duties upon availability of funds as certified by the …

Rules and Regulations. The Mayor of Saipan and the cockpit board shall promulgate, in consultation with cockpit operators, reasonable and necessary rules and regulations for the board to carry out the intent and purposes of this chapter within 60 days of Saipan Local Law 17-5 bec…

Cockpit License. A cockpit license shall be issued for the following cockfighting activities: (1) “Balentia” authorizes the licensee to operate a cockpit to engage in cockfighting only where knives or other sharp instruments are not used. (2) “Amara” authorizes the licensee to op…

License Issuance. The Mayor of Saipan and the cockpit board shall issue a license for the operation of the cockpit only after the awarding of license as provided in 10 CMC § 3608. Source: Saipan LL 9-8, § 3 (§ 3305).

Notice of Bid. A bid notice for the operation of the cockpit shall be posted in at least six public places or published or announced in at least three of the local news media accessible in Saipan for a period not to exceed 20 days prior to the deadline stated in the notice for th…

Bid Proposal. A bid proposal for the operation of a cockpit shall be submitted to the office of the Mayor of Saipan any day within a period of 10 days from the date fixed in the notice for the submission of a bid proposal. Each bid shall be accompanied by a non-refundable deposit…

Bid Award. The Mayor of Saipan shall award the license to the highest qualified bidder. In the event that for any reason the mayor does not approve the highest bidder, or the highest bid, a new notice shall be issued as soon as practicable in the same manner as set forth under th…

Duration of License. A cockpit license shall be issued for a period of five years, commencing on July 1 of the first year, and shall end on June 30 of the fifth year, and shall be payable annually on or before July 1st and subject to license revocation if payment is not made on o…

Number of License. No more than one license for the operation of the cockpit shall be issued. The location of the cockpit shall be subject to the approval of the mayor, except that the licensee may be authorized by the cockpit board to issue a “letter of authorization” to other a…

Citizenship Requirement. No license shall be issued to any person, corporation, company or entity who is not a U.S. citizen and resident of Saipan for at least seven years preceding May 11, 1996. Source: Saipan LL 9-8, § 3 (§ 3311), modified.

Cockpit Operation. The licensee may operate the cockpit on any day the licensee deems necessary. The licensee is also permitted to operate the cockpit 24 hours per day as the licensee sees fit. Source: Saipan LL 9-8, § 3 (§ 3312), modified.

Fees and Other Deductions. The licensee is authorized to charge a submission fee of not more than $10 per person per day. The licensee is also authorized to deduct 10 percent from the total sum of each winning bet. Source: Saipan LL 9-8, § 3 (§ 3313), modified.

Drinks and Food Concession. The licensee is authorized to sell drinks and food items while the cockpit is in operation, including beer and liquor consistent with applicable law. Source: Saipan LL 9-8, § 3 (§ 3314), modified.

Cockpit Employees. The licensee may hire employees for the operation of the cockpit and all other related activities consistent with applicable law. The office of the Mayor of Saipan is free from any personal and financial responsibility arising from the operation of the cockpit.…

Funds Collected. Notwithstanding the provisions 1 CMC § 1403, the Mayor of Saipan, upon the approval of the Saipan legislative delegation by resolution, may expend, obligate, encumber, etc., any and all funds deposited in the special account. The mayor shall submit to the Saipan …

Violations and Penalties. (a) Violations. (1) No person, firm, corporation, partnership, business association or other entity shall operate a cockfight at a time and place where a fee is charged for admission or betting takes place unless licensed pursuant to this chapter. (2) No…