Variety learned that of the chamber’s 150 members, only 45 or less than one third responded to the survey questions.
Of the 45 members who responded to the casino question, 27 members or 60 percent voted against casino gambling on Saipan, while 40 percent or 18 were in favor of legalized gambling on island.
75.6 percent or 34 members were in favor of repealing Article 12, while 24.4 percent or 11 members voted against.
Under Article 12, only persons of Northern Marianas descent can own land in the CNMI.
Chamber executive director Richard A. Pierce said they conducted the survey through surveymonkey.com.
The chamber has received a request from the House of Representatives to comment on casino gambling, and there are pending legislative initiatives on the repeal of Article 12.
The chamber’s board of directors stated that the polling does not represent the views of the majority of the membership, but does indicate the opinion of those who chose to respond to the secure and anonymous survey polling system.
