~ Ordinance still violated as Cannegieter Street entrance being used.~
PHILIPSBURG:— Minister of TEATT Ludmilla de Weever has buckled to pressure given by those in the Ministry of Economic Affairs to reopen Rouge et Noir Casino. The casino which was shut down by the Minister on November 25th has since been allowed to reopen while no explanations can be obtained from the Minister who said she shut down the casino based on the law and not her emotions.
Rouge et Noir Casino obtained a decree from former Minister of TEATT Stuart Johnson to move into the Super Plaza Building even though the building is very close to Sundial School, the Philipsburg Library, and a doctor’s office. Based on the gaming policy that states that a casino cannot be next to any sensitive buildings. The former Minister of TEATT did specify in the decree he granted to Rouge et Noir that they are prohibited from using the Cannegieter Street entrance since that entrance is too close to the Sundial School.
Minister de Weever told SMN News that the owners of Rouge et Noir were in violation of the ministerial decree and as such, the order to shut down was issued.
It should be noted that the Chinese investors have been hiring undocumented workers that are brought in from neighboring islands by boat. All of which has been reported to the Department of Labor and the Inspectorate of Labor but thus far nothing has been done.
Sources within the government have said that certain civil servants were allegedly paid large sums of money to issue positive advice for the change of location and those involved are the ones that pressured the Minister to reopen the casino even though they are in violation.
SMN News contacted the Minister of Monday for an update on the decision made to reopen the casino and now allowing them to use the Cannegieter Street as their main entrance. Whenever the Minister provides the answers to the questions posed to her this article will be updated.
