NO gambling activities will be allowed at the stalls to be constructed at American Memorial Park for this year’s Liberation Day festivities, according to Sid Cabrera, chairman of the event’s organizing committee.
“It is going to be banned,” said Cabrera, adding that the committee had received numerous complaints in connection with the previous years’ Liberation Day activities when stalls were allowed for gambling activities like dice games.
Gambling—except the “traditional” forms, which include bingo—is not allowed on Saipan, and previous Liberation Day organizers had been the subject of legal complaints for allowing gambling at the stalls.
Officials said the organizers allowed gambling activities to help generate revenues by attracting more concessionaires. A concessionaire pays a minimum rate of $1,200 per stall.
Gambling has also become one of the major attractions at the park during Liberation Day festivities.
But Cabrera said this year’s festivities will focus on family oriented themes. The Liberation Day festivities will also be promoted as a tourist attraction, he said.
Cabrera said the booths will open on Friday. About three-fourths of the 40 stalls had already been sold, he added.
Cabrera said the organizing committee has appointed Park Ranger Chuck Sayon to oversee the procurement and installation of the fireworks. He said that as of press time the purchase had not been made. The Saipan Mayor’s Office, which oversees the activities of the Liberation Day Committee, said the order should be placed before June 2 to give time for shipping.
