We also cannot ignore this fact: the relationship between casino gambling and domestic problems such as abuse and neglect. They go hand in hand and our officials know this but they are too weak to admit it. They should go to court and examine the number of domestic problems related to poker alone. Men are beating up their wives and demanding money to go play poker. Their wives are big time poker players too. Addiction to poker destroys family lives daily.
I’m pretty sure that if officials listen to CNMI police officers and domestic violence counselors they will realize the specific problems created by poker gambling in the community. They will learn how many women have been sent to the women’s shelter for protection from their abusive drunken husbands who can’t control their poker addiction.
To ignore these facts is irresponsible. I know officials know these problems but they would rather ignore them and are now supporting casino gambling on Saipan.
Domestic violence also occurs in every state in America. There are numerous cases here in which children were locked in cars or were unsupervised for long periods of time while their parents gamble at casinos.
There are statistics nationwide showing that children and spouses of compulsive gamblers are more prone to suffer abuse and neglect. Why do we want more of that on our island?
JACK O. ROMOLOR
Portland, Oregon
