A bill that would have allowed some poker arcades to keep operating in some villages on Saipan has been thumbed down by Northern Marianas Governor Ralph Torres.
Photo: Copyright: lsantilli / 123RF Stock Photo
Mr Torres vetoed the bill, which allowed arcades to operate in southwestern Saipan, because he said he had reservations about the nature of economic growth the measure would bring to the areas.
For the past year the CNMI has been looking at relocating poker arcades from villages and non-specific areas into designated zones.
Poker machines affected by the relocation from the villages are expected to cost the CNMI government about $US1.4 million in revenue, which is a source of funds for the Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance scholarship program.
