Students petition for stricter control over poker industry

Northern Marianas College students are circulating a petition in support of a House bill that would impose stricter regulations on the poker industry.

The students wrote Senate legal counsel Antonio Cabrera on Tuesday to call for the passage of House Bill 14-267, which has been pending before the Senate for several months now.

Introduced by Rep. Clyde Norita, H.B. 14-267 seeks to impose higher poker fees, prohibit poker establishments from the villages, and increase the distance of poker rooms from schools and churches.

The same bill was the basis of a failed local popular initiative petition that the Saipan Chamber of Commerce circulated in July 2005.

“We are currently circulating a petition in support of [H.B. 14-267] and have set a goal to secure at least 5,000 signatures. We are sincerely trying to meet this goal. However, we will be submitting the petition shortly to the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Legislature to prove the importance of this proposed bill,” reads a portion of a letter signed by 12 students.

The petitioners said they support the intent of the bill, particularly with regard to curbing poker-related crimes.

“The poker industry, although generating revenue for the CNMI, has also brought many negative effects to our community, including child and spousal abuse and neglect (domestic violence), theft, substance abuse, criminal involvement of minors ranging from curfew violations, as well as others,” they said.

They also cited information from the Department of Public Safety showing that there were over 750 crimes committed between 2001 and the present related to the poker industry.

“We believe the bill’s measure to relocate the poker establishments will greatly benefit the community by decreasing crime within the villages, where there are currently many such places close to our homes, schools, and community centers,” the students said.

On July 7, 2005, the Chamber of Commerce submitted to the Attorney General’s Office an initiative petition based on Norita’s poker bill.

The AGO refused to certify the petition because it did not have the 2,031 valid signatures required by law to represent 20 percent of Saipan’s registered voters.

Norita’s bill would limit poker rooms to areas within Garapan, on Middle Road north to Hotel Nikko Saipan, and on Beach Road south to Pacific Islands Club up to Agingan Lane.

The measure would also ban poker establishments within 250 feet of any public or private school, Northern Marianas College, day care center, early childhood center, or church. It would not allow poker rooms near commercial laundry shops, grocery stores, and pawn shops.

Furthermore, the initiative would address the “aesthetic nuisance” caused by poker establishments by limiting signage to 2 feet height, 4 feet width, and 8 inches depth.

It would require signage to read “Game Room,” rather than “Poker Room,” and be fluorescent, backlit, fixed, and attached to the front of the game room facility. Illuminated neon or flashing signage would also be banned.