NMHC studies proposal on ‘self-excluding’ low-income families from going to casino

A proposal to “self-exclude” low-income families from going to casino and gaming establishments was discussed by the board and management of the Northern Marianas Housing Council.

At their board meeting yesterday, NMHC corporate director Jesse Palacios shared to the board a meeting that they had with the Commonwealth Casino Commission and the Division of Nutrition Assistance Program of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs regarding the commission’s proposal.

“The purpose of the meeting was to help the Food Stamp office and housing try to work with them. They’re trying to exclude families, who are receiving some kind of federal or local assistance, from gambling. Their concern is that since these families are already considered low-income or no-income, they shouldn’t be going to play poker or go to the Best Sunshine [Live] casino,” Palacios said.

He added that the casino commission said it would take care of the enforcement.

Palacios said they were asked to review the proposal as well as a draft “self-exclusion” form that clients could sign voluntarily. The form would include a photo of the client as and they would choose whether they would exclude themselves for a period of one year, five years, or a lifetime.

However, in his inquiry with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Palacios said the federal agency advised against it.

“They asked us if that is allowed by our regulations or by the feds, so I asked our federal office in Honolulu, HUD field office, and they said that it’s kind of discriminatory to exclude certain income families from doing what they want to do and if it’s not one of our requirements then we shouldn’t approve the exclusion,” Palacios said

“HUD also mentioned that in Nevada, the public housing agencies there do not exclude their clients from casinos,” he added.

Director Aubrey Hocog lauded the commission for their efforts, but the board had various views on the subject.

“I applaud the efforts of the Saipan gaming commission, I think they are just trying to find ways to I guess reduce the social conflict right here on Saipan and the CNMI,” Hocog said.

Director Ignacio Kiyoshi said he disagrees with the proposed measure and that NMHC shouldn’t get involved as the federal agency had advised.

“I disallow that,” Kiyoshi said, “If we restrict one from entering casino, there are various activities out there that are going to be widespread gambling activities.”

Kiyoshi added that clients who have loans just need to make sure that they are able to pay their obligations.

“Whoever’s in charge for that loan, they just need to be on top of things to make sure that they do make those payments, outside of that, that’s basically their discretion,” Kiyoshi said.

Director Dave Demapan noted that the operator should have their own regulations on those who don’t have the resources to play in their establishment and that the commission should just work directly with the operator.

“An operator normally would establish rules and procedures to make sure that whoever those players, who don’t have the income necessary to survive, they have certain regulations how to restrict that,” Demapan said.

He added that they should stick with the policies and procedures that they have and the client should just follow the agreement they signed with NMHC for their obligations.

“We’re all human beings, everybody is looking for luck whether you’re rich or poor,” Demapan said.

Director Diego Songao shared that on Rota, they also found that to be discriminatory, however, he said that NMHC could include in their loan applications a section for clients to identify themselves if they are chronic gamblers and that would be a criteria or basis for loan approvals.

Director Ignacio Perez also wanted the proactive approach to possible implications of gambling to a client’s ability to pay their obligations. He mentioned that they could have a briefing with clients that if they are deficient or late in their payments attributed to gambling, they will be terminated.

The topic was tabled by the board for further discussion.