Read what other people say about the Saipan Casino

Legalizing gambling by Roger N. Ludwick
THERE are certain factions that believe legalized gambling would enhance our islands as a tourist attraction and save us from the economic woes that now beset us. I think they are right. The fear that I have is that our poorly managed government would not have the capability to properly ensure that the money produced by this activity benefits the people of the CNMI. We have enough crime here now. Legalized gambling in places like Reno and Las Vegas Nevada has greatly decreased the cost of living in those areas for the local residents. I know local folks who have moved to these cities and can attest to the low cost of living there. Imagine how nice it would be to have no charge for power or water and no taxes. Read more...

Casinos can be legitimate option by Alan Stuart Markoff, DDS, MBA
I read with considerable interest the two-page article in Sunday's Saipan Tribune entitled “All bets are on”. The Seminole Indian Tribe in South Florida literally pulled themselves up by their collective bootstraps. The casino was developed in a “family style” utilizing both Foxwoods and The Mohegan casinos in Connecticut as an example of how to do it “right”! I have been in both of these casinos and they are constructed for family outings. Read more...

Investors waiting for vote on Saipan casino by James Santos, Secretary of Commerce COMMERCE Secretary James Santos says potential investors are waiting for the results of the Nov. 3 vote on the Saipan casino initiative.Santos said they have received a number of inquiries from foreign investors.“But they are waiting for the outcome of the Saipan casino initiative,” he told Variety. “If a casino is established on Saipan, it will lure more investors.” Read more...

Saipan is the most viable place in the CNMI for casino gaming
by Jon Anderson, loan officer for Bridge Capital LLC
He also said Saipan is the most viable place in the CNMI for casino gaming because the island is well developed as a tourist destination. “Saipan has established hotels, the number of rooms needed, other kinds of entertainment, beaches, golf courses. Adding casino gaming, I think, would be profitable,” he told reporters. Read more...

If you want a better future for you and your family by John M Cabrera
Today, there is hope that casino will bring to Saipan a better economic jumpstart. Let’s face the facts. There’s always good and bad impact in everything that happens in our life. The bottom-line is whether you have money or not — problems will still come to you. The difference is that money can solve the problem; but when you have no money, your problem will never go away. Read more...

Ambrose Benette is playing dirty by distroying YES to Saipan Casino signs. Wondering who are financing Mr. Common Sense Ambrose Benette No to CasiNo campaign? Ignoring the people by Nick C. Sablan On another matter, the most important thing in this upcoming election is the casino. I think we need everyone’s support on this including Mr. Common Sense. Read more...

Educate yourself about the casino industry by Vicente M. Sablan
As for those that bluntly say “No to Casinos on Saipan”, please take your time to travel, see and research the casino industries throughout the world. I am especially impressed by the casino industry in Macau, China. Before the casino was established on this tiny remote island, it did not have any international airport or seaport. The island cannot accommodate an airport because it is too small. It cannot accommodate seaport because the waters surrounding the island are too shallow. However, since the government allowed casinos to operate, the island had become a seaport hub for casino customers from Hong Kong and mainland China. Read more ...

Casinos or no casinos by Derry Noisom
The only real way to stop our people from being gambling addicts would be to eliminate all gambling. Period! Is anyone willing to start a petition that would outlaw every kind and type of gambling? I would vote for that. Getting rid of all the poker parlors would be great. It is the only solution to our local gambling problems. But I will vote YES for Casino Gambling this November, for the overall good to the CNMI people. It is sad but true that keeping the casinos out will not help our local addicts. Read more...

Comparing apples and oranges by Felipe Atalig
Some people compare the Saipan casino initiative with the poker law. The poker law was established through enactment by the Legislature and approved by the Governor, thereby legalizing poker business in the CNMI! Read more...

Fire me up by Bruce Bateman
Those already wealthy can afford to stay here. Those on the middle and bottom rungs are getting to the point where they cannot. Many of our local families are not making ends meet. This Casino Act offers the means, which with hard work and proper oversight, can give the economy the boost it needs to keep families together and to get the CNMI back on the road to recovery after 10 years of languishing. Read more...

Casino will kill poker industry by Joe Terlaje
One week ago today, local residents saw two Asian looking persons putting up anti-Saipan casino signs close to the entrance going down to Santa Lourdes Shrines. Reports say they came from Tinian via the ferry boat with their signs. Surely you are aware of this, Ambrose. Read more...

Nobody lives in a perfect world by Vicente M. Sablan
The people of Tinian are reaping the benefits of casino revenue without increase in crimes and prostitution. If you are from Tinian and the Mayor hear you coughing, he will immediately cut a TA to have you referred anywhere in the world so you can get well. Read more...

Who supports the NO casino Campaign? by Derry Noisom
WHO are the main contributors of dollars to those opposed to Saipan casinos? I would guess the owners of poker rooms. And perhaps the owners or CEOs of the Tinian casino(s). Read more...

Common sense and Mr. Bennett by Francisco R. Agulto
What Mrs. Bennett did not understand is that her husband’s writings are being viewed and decoded by people other than him. We look for the claim, evidence, and warranties to his arguments. Mr. Bennett said he is a constitutional scholar, an expert in governmental matters to the exclusion of others who have contributed to the development of the CNMI, and also indicated wanting to be a minister of education in the CNMI. This is the problem. Read more...

Church Propaganda by Bobby Myers
The priest stated very clearly that the church is not saying gambling is moral or immoral. I remember that statement very clearly. In fact, I sort of agreed with it, because that’s a question that we should all be able to figure out on our own. The priest then jumped to the typical facts showing how the advent and existence of poker establishments have dramatically changed the commonwealth for the worse. It has ruined families, jobs, finances, etc. Fair enough. But wait a second, I thought the priest said the church wasn’t going there. In reality, the church was doing just that — propaganda. Aside from the misplaced premise behind the church’s propaganda — i.e., that casinos will inflame what poker establishments have already given rise to and are known for creating — I always thought the church’s purpose was to be a spiritual advisor or something like that. Read more...

Anonymous billboards by Jane H. Saures and others
THE Saipan Casino Act issue seems to be heating up with money flowing into the coffers of the “Vote No” group that has been placing lots of signs to complement the hundreds of signs for political candidates of all persuasions. Read more...

Casino Initiative (1) by Juan S. Demapan
MY fellow citizens of the commonwealth, come Nov. 3, 2007, you will be making a critical decision that will change our commonwealth in ways yet to be determined. However, if you fail to act and remain neutral, then perhaps you have no reason to complain in the years to follow. Read more...,

Purpose of casino by Juan S. Demapan, former Senate President
Allow me to clarify some misunderstanding presently going about regarding what the casino for Saipan or Rota was meant to accomplish. The focus of the casino operation in Saipan and perhaps Rota is not to target the local residents into playing for the casino. The purpose of the casino establishments in the islands is to take advantage of the enormous economic potential giving rise to the large population base located only a few hours from our shores — the Asian market. The purpose of the casino establishments in our islands is to take advantage of the economic potential arising from the military build up in Guam. Read more...

I changed my mind by Sid Ada
After watching the debate on the Saipan Casino Initiative on Oct.r 11, 2007 held at the Multipurpose Center, it got me thinking whether I should continue with my earlier decision to vote NO or to change my mind and vote YES on the Saipan Casino Initiative. Read more...

Life is a gamble by Luis K. Pelisamen
SUPER educated, super smart Ambrose Bennett wrote in his letter to the editor that “life is not a gamble.” He knows that “life is a gamble.” Just to give a few example: when you drive your car especially on busy street, ride on an airplane, a firefighter fighting fire, a soldier going off to war, a policeman protecting the community, a doctor working to save lives, a patient on the operating table, and so on. Read more...

Easy to say no by Bruce Bateman
Casino gaming here on Saipan is the only workable solution that has so far been proposed. There may be others but so far no one has proposed one. There are a few people, however, who say that possible negatives outweigh the obvious advantages. This or that is wrong with it and it can't work they say. My guess is that most of the No's have a vested interest in another business or industry or they just plain fear the change back to a prosperous economy. Read more...

Clarifying a misunderstanding on casino intent
by Juan S. Demapan
Allow me to clarify some misunderstanding presently going around about what the casino for Saipan or Rota was meant to accomplish. The focus of the casino operation on Saipan and perhaps Rota is not to target the local residents into playing in the casino. Read more...

Speaking of High and Mighty by Bruce Bateman
I notice that the most vocal anti-casino folks like Pelligrino and Bennett always sign off their diatribes with references to God blessing us all for voting no. As if they have some direct pipeline to God. Read more...

The main thing is to keep the main thing the man thing by Jack Q. Atalig
IN order to keep the main thing the main thing — the economy, which is at its very worst condition — we must seek other alternatives to relieve our situation. This coming election introduces casino as an answer to our economic dilemma and is the main thing for our survival.
Read more...

Confusing by Nick Sablan
THE “Fear, Power and Corruption Act” ad of Mr. Ambrose M. Bennett was confusing.He was practically saying that the casino is good only if it is done his way and with the right people. One thing I know for sure about the “No” ad is that he has a deep pocket, unlike the proponents who are struggling and desperately asking for donations. Read more...

Do we have a choice? by Patrick Mendiola
WE don’t have natural resources like oil, natural gas, mines or fish to export.We cannot compete with other countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong because they offer many tourist attractions that are cheaper. Read more...

History of gaming in Michigan by Juan S. Demapan
ALLOW me to relate to you the success story of the Michigan casinos in Detroit and how they were established. (For more details of the Michigan casinos, please visit the Web site Michigan.gov.). Read more...