Final gambling signatures today
By Sunmi Kang
Pacific Daily News
Today the final batch of signatures required to get the initiative that seeks to legalize slot machine gambling is expected to be turned in to the Guam Election Commission.
If the requisite number of signatures, close to 5,000, passes muster with the Election Commission the issue will be included in this year's General Election ballot along with the initiative that seeks to raise the legal drinking age from 18 to 21.
If the slot machine initiative makes it to the upcoming Nov. 3 ballot it won't be the first time the island's feelings over legalized gambling have been expressed in a vote.
In 2002, the Citizens for Economic Diversity, a group of several prominent local businessmen, introduced a proposition to legalize casino gambling in some of the island's largest hotels. Because that initiative, Proposition A, was introduced too late in the year to place it on the ballot, it was -- after much debate -- included on the 2004 General Election ballot.
The casino gambling initiative would have legalized and taxed casinos, set the gambling age at 21 and establish a paid commission to regulate casino gaming.
In the months leading up to the heavily discussed vote, residents engaged in islandwide debates over the many benefits and harms of legalized gambling. Controversy over the casino gambling issue spurred months of public awareness campaigns, student protests and media buzz.
Supporters of the initiative touted the much-needed economic benefits to the faltering local economy, while those who opposed the measure argued the potentially adverse social impact. Both groups shelled out more than $100,000 in their respective campaigns to boost and counter the casino gambling initiative, according to Pacific Daily News Files.
In the end, the casino gambling proposition failed by a margin of more than 7,800 votes during the 2004 General Election.
Unlike 2004's Proposition A, the slot machine gambling initiative does not aim to legalize any type of gambling other than slot machines, and will benefit one business institution, namely Guam Greyhound, the island's only dog racing track. The initiative explicitly identifies "pari-mutuel racing facilities," a type of gambling associated with dog racing, as the only kind of establishment to which the measure applies.
In addition, with the Aug. 3 deadline to submit signatures and the general election around the corner, little time is left for public debate about the slot gambling issues, something that concerns 39-year-old Barrigada resident Terry Aguon.
Aguon said that those pushing the initiative have provided few details to the public about regulations and structure that might apply to operating slot machines, things he feels it will be critical to know about when the time comes to make the decision.
"They need to give us better guidelines so we understand exactly what it is that we are looking at," he said. "The way it's been presented now lacks a foundation."
Aguon added that though it is important for the island to be creative about infusing new industries beyond tourism, he is weary of the social consequences that stem from legalized gambling.
"I think it will be a positive measure if we can orient this toward the tourist market, otherwise I don't really see it happening" he said.
For others, the gambling issue stirs up long-held objections. Dededo resident Bertha Duenas said she experienced firsthand the negative toll gambling can take on family and loved ones.
"A cousin of mine spent her life savings on gambling," she said. "She has nothing to show for all her years of hard work. How terrible is that?"
Duenas said she's seen many families struggle through gambling addictions that often tear them apart and cause irreversible damage.
She added that the often-used argument that gambling will benefit the island's economy does not apply to Guam because our economic declines should be attributed to poor fiscal management in the government.
Our leaders have been irresponsible with our money and our economy is suffering for it, said Duenas, the former chief of staff of Lt. Gov. Kaleo Moylan.
Meanwhile, a network of church, business, civic and other volunteers is gearing up for an anti-gambling campaign as the proposal to put the slot machine issue on the ballot this November appears imminent.
Jackie Marati, spokeswoman for anti-gambling group Lina'la Sin Casino, said if the proposal makes it to the ballot, a broad and diverse group of concerned citizens and leaders will be ready to mount opposition leading up to the general election.
Archbishop Anthony Apuron, the leader of Guam's Catholic community, also has publicly opposed the slot machine initiative. |
