Tinian officials in the past opposed the Saipan casino proposal, saying it would “kill” Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino, which opened in 1998 but has yet to make a profit.
The Tinian resident, who declined to be identified, said their island will support a Saipan casino as long as the promotion and marketing strategy is not limited to Saipan.
He said several officials and community members on Tinian are also supporting the Saipan casino bill, which is now pending in the Senate.
The casino industry, if managed wisely, could be the answer to the commonwealth’s financial problems, he said.
Unlike Tinian, he said Saipan has better infrastructure and more attractions.
The resident, a former Tinian official, said the bulk of Saipan casino revenue should be used to upgrade the Commonwealth Health Center and Northern Marianas College.
He said the Senate, which is dominated by Tinian and Rota, should hear the sentiments of the public before they vote on the Saipan casino bill.
Rota’s first casino is set to open in October.
Opening a casino on Saipan is better than increase taxes and fees which the resident said will result in a higher cost of living.
Rota and Tinian, he added, must also understand that they make up less than 10 percent of the population and contribute less than 10 percent of the CNMI’s total revenue.
A casino on Saipan will help all islands, he said.
“Nobody knows the impact of the Saipan casino on the casinos on Tinian and Rota until it happens. But it will attract more gamblers to the CNMI which will become a gambling mecca which may also have adverse effects. But the real question is what alternatives we have to resolve the crisis? he asked.
