According to Dilmei Olkeriil, the number of citizens and residents of Palau against the establishment of casinos is far greater than the number of people who have actually signed the petition.
“There are many people who are against the establishment of casinos in Palau,” she said. “We have not received all of the signatory sheets of the petition, but I am confident the number will be significant.”The petition was circulated following the introduction of the Palau Gaming Control Act of 2009 in the Olbiil Era Kelulau, the national legislature.According to one of the signatories of the petition, the bill “does nothing more than make empty promises of opulence for the many and guaranteed wealth for the few.”Olkeriil said copies of the petition will be sent to Palau’s leadership.“We are hoping that our leaders would at least see this whole thing from our vantage point,” one petitioner said. “We understand that they are trying to look for means of getting revenue for Palau, but they must know that they are gambling with our lives and the lives of our children.”
