Saipan - The House of Representatives passed legislation to remove a restriction on the use of funds collected from Rota casino licenses and fees. The bill, now awaiting Senate action, will authorize the Rota Casino Gaming Commission to utilize collected fees even though the casinos the paid the fees are not ready to open. Under existing law, the commission is prohibited from using such funds.

The Economy Commission of the House of Legislators agreed on the proposal for the Tax Reform of the federal government in order to add a 20% fee on the performance of bets and draws. The project of the report, ready for approval next week in San Lázaro, indicates that the gambling industry with bets and draws neither brings society the direct and indirect benefits it demands, nor it fully compensates the associated costs.

Majestic Star Casino paid its USD 50 million licensing fee Monday for a North Shore slot machine parlor and said it welcomed an expedited timetable for the state Supreme Court to consider arguments by Pittsburgh's sports teams about casino traffic. The Detroit-based casino company paid the fee to the state Gaming Control Board, a board spokesman confirmed. The Supreme Court earlier this month rejected appeals by two losing bidders, affirming the company's license.

New Zealand's casinos have been told they will have to pay the Government for a crackdown on their own operations. The Department of Internal Affairs takes NZD 4.6 million a year in fees from the six casinos but wants to take more to solve the problems they have with organised crime. The department says its ability to deal with money laundering and loan sharks has been limited by a lack of resources and casinos like Auckland's SkyCity - which pays NZD 2.2 million a year - will likely have to pay more.