Online casinos accepting players from Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands is an unincorporated territory and commonwealth of the United States consisting of 14 islands in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Officially known as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), they were the first islands settled by humans in Remote Oceania. The vast majority of the population resides in Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

Land-based gambling is legal, while online gambling is in the process of legalization. There are a couple of regulatory agencies and institutions in charge of regulating the sector, but they are nowhere as well-organized as some other regulators, namely MGA and the Gambling Commission of GB.

According to the stats from January 2022, the total internet penetration rate of CNMI amounted to 30.6%, which means that a vast majority of residents are offline. Such a low coverage explains why the local iGaming industry is not as active as those in regions with a widely-spread and firm network.

Laws and Regulations

As mentioned in the introductory part, land-based gambling is legal in the Northern Mariana Islands, while online is in the process of being regulated.

Despite the fact that there are no locally licensed iGaming websites, locals interested in making bets on the Internet are not left empty-handed. They usually visit foreign gambling websites.

When it comes to institutions in charge of governing the gambling sector, those are:

• Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Lottery Commission
• Rota Casino Gaming Commission
• Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission

The official website of the CNMI Lottery Commission is not operational, and the same goes for Rota Casino Gaming Commission. In January 2022, an article was published, noting that the Rota delegation can amend island laws, which would enable the local Gaming Commission members to receive a salary of $60,000 even though no casinos were operational in that territory. There is no info on the outcome.

Established in 1989, the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission (TCGCC) was launched with a mission to regulate the local gaming industry and help its development. This body is in charge of ensuring compliance with internal controls, rules, and regulations, among all.

Tainan Diamond Casino, which opened its doors in early 2022, is one of the rare land-based casinos operating in the country. It offers table games, slot machines, and US and European sports. There used to be a couple of casinos in Saipan as well, operated by Best Sunshine, a subsidiary of Imperial Pacific International Holdings. Some e-gaming machines were closed due to higher taxes.

Player Protection and Responsible Gambling Measures

Even though the country has some regulatory bodies, there are no official player protection measures in place. Players are more or less left on their own, with no institutions to help them resolve the issue, in case one emerges.

Yet, the good thing is that a solid number of casinos are equipped with a variety of tools for responsible gambling. Players who have trouble managing their time or funds can use some of the following tools:

• Deposit, wager and loss limits
• Reality check and activity notifications
• Cool-off and self-exclusion

In addition to this, the dedicated sections often have questionnaires that can help consumers assess their gambling habits. Moreover, some platforms have links to helpful organizations dedicated to assisting people dealing with gambling-related issues.

Payment Methods and Banking

The official currency of CNMI is the United States dollar (USD). As almost all online casinos support USD as a payment option, players are given a wide selection of options to choose from. Cryptocurrencies are not yet recognized as legal tender, but they are a popular choice for people who like to gamble online.

Regardless of the preferred option, players should take a look at the following details BEFORE funding the accounts:

• Available payment methods
• The maximum and minimum amounts for transactions
• Pending and processing time
• Fees on deposits and withdrawals

As for the pending and processing time, a consumer should also check whether the operator requests ID verification as well as the list of documents needed to complete this process. If this is done upon registration or depositing, the withdrawal will be notably faster.

Also, bear in mind that the cashout maximums and minimums may be different for winnings deriving from no-deposit bonuses and deposit-based bonus offers. Sometimes, those funds cannot be cashed out at all but can be used for further playing. In some situations, a player needs to meet certain wagering requirements to be able to withdraw funds.

These bits of info are usually found either in Terms or in the Cashier, so take time to familiarize yourself with those on time. Keep in mind that the rules may differ from one country to another. Unfortunately, the Northern Mariana Islands is often on the list of countries prohibited to register and/or claim bonuses.

What Should Players from the Northern Mariana Islands Pay Attention to When Selecting a Casino?

Choosing a casino can sometimes be quite stressful. There are so many online casinos and new ones keep opening their doors daily, making it more and more difficult to decide where to play.

On the other hand, the procedure doesn’t have to be complicated at all, if you follow a couple of tips. That’s where this guide steps in, showing you how to find the best casino that fits your demands.

Aside from inspecting all there is about banking policy and payment options, these are some of the questions that need to be answered:

• Does the casino have a license? If so, is it valid?
• Which content providers and game genres are featured in the portfolio? Is there a demo play? How do the games perform on mobile devices? Is the catalog simple to browse?
• Are there bonuses, promotions, and tournaments? How reasonable are wagering requirements? Does the operator have a Loyalty Program with benefits?
• Which channels of communication with the support department do players have at their disposal? Does the support team work 24/7 or they have limited working hours?

Don’t let this seemingly lengthy list discourage you, the entire process will take up approximately 15-20 minutes. That’s not much compared to what you get in return- all doubts are gone. Once you’ve completed this investigation, your choice will be narrowed down, so you can have fun playing your favorite casino games.

Gamble responsibly!

FAQ

Is it legal to gamble online in the Northern Mariana Islands?

Online gambling in the Northern Mariana Islands is in the process of legalization. As there are no locally licensed gambling websites, players from CNMI gamble on foreign betting platforms.

What are the most popular online casino games in the Northern Mariana Islands?

Players from CNMI are fans of table games and slot releases but are also curious to explore other gaming genres such as live dealer games, Bingo, instant wins, Scratchcards, and so on.

Is demo play available in Northern Mariana Islands -friendly online casinos?

Yes, demo play is available to consumers from CNMI. Sometimes they need to register, but in most cases, both guests and existing customers can have as many playing sessions as they want in demo mode.

Can players from the Northern Mariana Islands gamble on mobile devices?

Mobile gambling is popular in Northern Mariana Island as well, but the only obstacle is a bit lower internet penetration rate. Due to unstable connection, it is not always possible to have smooth gaming sessions.

What kind of online casino bonuses can players from the Northern Mariana Islands claim?

CNMI players usually claim welcome bonuses, no deposit bonuses, and cashback bonuses. Of course, they should always check the list of restricted countries, so to avoid unpleasant situations.