28 Oct 2010

Casino bill in Samoa signed into law

6:37 am on 28 October 2010

A bill which makes casinos legal in Samoa has been signed into law by the Head of State but the law will not take immediate effect.

The Minister for the Totalisator Agency Board, Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, says more research needs to be done beforehand on the types of casinos to be introduced.

Tuilaepa, who is also the Prime Minister, sees the casino law taking effect mid next year.

The Opposition Tautua Samoa Party and the National Council of Churches oppose casinos.

The matter is emerging as a key issue in the general elections scheduled to be held next March.