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Relocate poker arcades to hotels
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Posted on Dec 29 2008
In reference to the complete removal of poker machines in the CNMI, Taotao Tano CNMI Inc. believes that the reality of it all is true but to completely phase out poker machines at this point is not going to help our dwindling revenues, whether we like it or not. What our legislative branch should be considering, which should have been done years ago, is re-evaluate the situation.
Currently, it is estimated that there are 680 poker machines just on Saipan. We recommend that they be distributed evenly throughout all hotels, giving the hotel owners ultimate responsibility. Slash the annual pokers fees by half and have the hotel establishments pay the 10 percent tax from revenues collected, provided and ensuring that rules and regulations are promulgated and enforced. Hotel establishment have 24-hour security surveillance and there are people working around the clock so it will deter any criminal activity. Placing the poker machines at the hotels will limit, if not prevent, further addiction of such gambling within our local community. Tourists enjoy this type entertainment in hotels.
Instead of a complete phase out, we urge that all poker machines be removed from all villages, stores, laundromats and restaurants and relocated to hotel establishments, simply because our homeland is dependant on such revenues, to include appropriations for the Northern Marianas College.
We urge our lawmakers to think this out positively and do not hasten decisions that would further diminish our dwindling revenues for there is a solution. The statements by our government of having only licensed casinos to be authorized to operate poker machines is somewhat deceptive and actually promotes the establishment of casinos on Saipan, which is not supported by the people.
[B]Gregorio Cruz Jr. [/B] [I]President, Taotao Tano CNMI Inc.[/I]
