Local bill to ban poker machines outside of licensed casinos

Long before the question of legalizing casino gaming on Saipan is put in the Nov. 6 ballot once it gathers enough signatures, Rep. Stanley Torres (Ind-Saipan) pre-filed a local bill that would prohibit the operation of poker and pachinko slot machines outside of licensed casinos on the island.

“If and when casino gambling is approved in the Third Senatorial District [Saipan]… poker machines will be better located in the casinos,” Torres said, adding that many residents are against having poker machines in villages.

Torres, a strong proponent of Saipan casino gaming, is expected to formally introduce House Local Bill 17-75 in the next House session.

Under Torres’ bill, the ban on poker machines outside licensed casinos will take effect one year after casino gaming is authorized on Saipan or 90 days after a casino licensed to engaged in casino gaming on Saipan is open to the public, “whichever period is greater.”

There is an ongoing petition to gather at least 2,500 to 2,700 signatures to put the Saipan casino question in the Nov. 6 ballot.

Retiree Dr. Jack Angello, who is leading the signature drive, said yesterday that they will set up a table again on Wednesday, 5pm, at the Carolinian Utt in Garapan, where voters can sign the petition.

Angello said they are also calling all those with packets to come to the Carolinian Utt on Wednesday afternoon to turn in the signatures they have so far gathered so that they would be able to total count to date.

“So there are two purposes. One is to invite people to come and sign the petition. Two is to see where we stand and go from there. From what we’ve been hearing from people who are helping in gathering signatures, they have been getting good response,” he added.

Angello and some pro-Saipan casino lawmakers resorted to popular initiative to push for casinos after two House bills legalizing casino gaming on Saipan was killed by the Senate, and one local bill was vetoed because of constitutionality issues.

The 22-page popular initiative requires a $5 million initial license fee to be paid within 90 days after the license approval and $200,000 in annual license fee every year thereafter.

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and pro-Saipan casino lawmakers said legalizing casinos on Saipan will help restore 80 work hours biweekly, help prolong the NMI Retirement Fund’s lifespan, help the Saipan scholarship program, and help resuscitate the CNMI economy, among other things.