More than 1,400 citizens of Palau have signed a petition urging government leaders not to allow casinos in the country.
The petition was circulated following the introduction of the Palau Gaming Control Act of 2009 in 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.'
One petitioner says while the Palau Government is trying to raise the country's revenue it needs to know it is gambling with the lives of the people and the lives of their children.