| Coruscant_Journal | Date: Monday, 02 Jan 2012, 9:23 PM | Message # 1 |
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Group: Administrators
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Casino Baron Arrested on Chandaar
Chandaar, Cronese Mandate — Casino baron Marten Flagg, owner of the Silver Pendant chain of casinos in Cronese Mandate space, was arrested this morning on Chandaar, the latest of many Cronese worlds to criminalize gambling earlier this month. Mr. Flagg, who opposed the law, remained in operation on Chandaar as the law came into force today, prompting a police raid that closed down the Silver Pendant casino and dramatically arrested Mr. Flagg before holocameras on the gambling floor.
The law on Chandaar, based on a law popular on most Cronese worlds, orders gambling establishments shut and imposes fines on their owners, though gambling remains legal on some Cronese worlds such as Arcan IV, where Mr. Flagg and his Silver Pendant casinos are expected to remain in operation. Legal challenges to the law delayed its enforcement several times, causing confusion about when exactly it came into force, according to attorneys for Mr. Flagg.
Supporters of Mr. Flagg say the incident is further proof that the Cronese Mandate is hostile to business, a claim repeated in a number of publications including the Outer Rim Herald.
45% in a recent opinion poll believed the Cronese Mandate is "a good place to invest."
"The Cronese Mandate is a good place to invest, but that's not what this is about," an aide to Robeir, the Cronese ruler, told reporters. "Gambling is against the law on Chandaar, and the Cronese Mandate enforced the law. It's as simple as that." Indeed, a trend of opposition to gambling has spread throughout the Cronese Mandate over the last year, as gambling has been associated with, for instance, the crime and piracy that is prevalent on Arcan IV, where gambling remains legal.
Marten Flagg is expected to be released this week, provided he pays the fine required by law.
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