Proponents of casino gambling's legalization on Saipan admitted yesterday that placing the issue before the voters was an uphill battle.
Former House Speaker Pedro R. Guerrero, president of the CNMI Indigenous Entrepreneurs Inc., said it was a difficult fight because unlike political candidates that need majority votes only, the casino initiative must muster two thirds of all qualified voters.
“So we're really after more than 8,000 votes. We are encouraging people to come out. I believe that we will have that number,” Guerrero told Saipan Tribune at San Antonio Elementary School.
He said they are hopeful that they managed to provide all the important information about the casino initiative.
Guerrero said the casino would provide not only an investment opportunity for locals, but that the spillover of the economic development “will definitely benefit every citizens and nonresidents alike and small and big businesses.”
Guerrero said political parties are saying “Yes” to the casino initiatives. “I feel good about [the initiative's chances],” he said.
As for the opposition of church leaders and other organizations, Guerrero said he respects their views.
“I believe that people should express freely their opinion because that's a very healthy debate,” he said.
Guerrero said that unfortunately those against the casino are not offering any solution for economic recovery.
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