"We also have to control people from their own stupidity.''

Samoan casinos forbidden for locals
KATE CHAPMAN

Tenders will soon be put out for the first casinos to be built in Samoa, but local people will be "saved from their own stupidity" and will not be able to use them.

A law passed last October provided licensing for two casinos, one for each of Samoa's main islands.

The move was opposed by opposition politicians and many church groups, who said it would cause addiction problems in communities that were already facing financial hardship.

However, work went ahead and Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, who is also the minister in charge of the casinos, said officials were now deciding on a process for tendering the building and operation of the facilities.

Only foreigners who stay in the hotels associated with the casinos would be able to use them and locals would be turned away at the door, he said.

He acknowledged there had been some opposition to the planned casinos and said an authority had been set up to ensure locals could not play.

Mr Tuilaepa said his personal view on gambling was that it was an individual decision.

"Just like drinking and just like banking, some banks do also wind up just like businesses, some people go to businesses and they're very stupid and fold up, it's a personal choice.''

Asked how that fitted with keeping locals out, he said Government had to legislate against some personal choices.

"We also have to control people from their own stupidity.''

At that stage a Samoan press officer interrupted the press conference and said ''time was a bit of a gamble'' and it was time to move on to another topic.

National Council of Churches chairman Reverend Oka Fauolo said the ban on local people would not work because many had dual citizenship and church leaders were still worried about the negative affects of the casinos no matter what the Government said.

"When they see the evil of the casino they will not close it down because (the tax revenue is) a big temptation, not only to the Government but the people who run the Government."

Rev Fauolo said Hawaii had been turned into a big city and that turned people off going there.

People wanted to come to Samoa and see the natural beauty, try the food and experience the dance and music, he said.

"People are not very rich bit they are happy."