7 Jun 2013

Opponents of CNMI casino prepared for fight

9:56 am on 7 June 2013

The Saipan Casino Bill passed by the House of Representatives on Wednesday will be referred to two Senate committees for review, while citizens in the Northern Marianas prepare a public initiative to ban casino gaming on Saipan once the legislation is signed into law.

The acting Senate president Victor Hocog will refer the Casino Bill to the Committee on Resources, Economic Development and Programmes, as well as to the Fiscal Affairs Committee.

The Senate killed a similar Saipan casino gaming bill two years ago, for the second time.

Wednesday night's passage of the Bill also comes a few years after Saipan voters rejected the proposal, also for the second time.

Glen Hunter, a private citizen, says opponents are fully prepared to ban casino gaming on Saipan through a public initiative should the Bill be signed into law.