Previous Story
‘Eliminate all poker arcades by June 2009’
|
Posted on Dec 18 2008
The Governor’s Strategic Economic Development Council wants all poker machines, except those in licensed casinos, eliminated from the Commonwealth by June 30, 2009.
In a resolution adopted Tuesday, SEDC co-chairs Robert Jones and Marian Aldan-Pierce and assistant co-chair Teresa K. Kim urged Gov. Benigno Fitial and legislators to work collaboratively to enact laws that will eliminate all poker machines, except inside licensed casinos.
SEDC cited the increasing poker addiction in the CNMI as reason for the phase out, saying that gambling not only affects the gambler but also his or her family members and other residents, often in the form of crimes and loss of jobs.
There are 791 poker machines in the CNMI; 680 on Saipan, 52 on Tinian and 59 on Rota.
SEDC said the health and safety of Commonwealth residents are more important than the loss of revenue from poker license fees and taxes.
Poker arcades have also been repeatedly targeted for armed robberies. In March and July 2008, two poker robbery cases occurred on Saipan.
The Council noted that CNMI “has been and continues to experience the worst economic decline with no immediate relief in sight.”
“Criminal activity and loss of jobs resulting from poker further deteriorates the family unit in this declining economic climate through domestic violence incidents, including but not limited to child abuse, spousal abuse, and child neglect,” the Council co-chairs stated in the resolution.
The prevalence of poker arcades in island villages, SEDC said, often works to adversely impact the personal finances of many families and households, increasing debt levels and compromising the ability to pay debts and meet basic expenses and necessities.
