The construction of casinos on some off-shore islands was legalised in 2009, though to date none have been built. Some gambling-style games (like cards and mahjong) are allowed on special days or under special restricted circumstances.
TAIPEI--The Legislature's Transportation Committee approved a measure on January 1st 2014 to restrict casinos to Taiwan's offshore islands, though a lack of consensus along lawmakers struck down nearly three-fourths of the items on the same bill.
The committee conducted an article-by-article review of the Tourist Casino Management Act draft bill, in which 83 of the 114 articles failed to pass.
Among the 31 approved articles were regulations for licensing and, notably, a measure that restricts the establishment of casinos only to offshore islands, provided they have the approval of local residents.
The Transportation Committee also passed a proposal to block government investment in casino operations in accordance with related regulations.
In 2009, shortly after the passing of the Offshore Islands Development Act, the residents of the Penghu Islands became the first to hold a referendum on the development of a local casino. The residents rejected the casino-resort plan 17,359 votes to 13,397. Though only 42% of eligible voters cast ballots, the result was nonetheless valid and binding.
Residents of Taiwan's Lienchiang County on the offshore islands of Matsu gave their approval to a casino on July 7, 2012.
The Tourist Casino Management Act reviewed Thursday January 2nd 2014 was drafted to provide additional legislation to the Offshore Island Development Act to facilitate the casino project there.
Analysts have said the potential for a gambling industry on Matsu, about an hour away from Taiwan by plane, is large because underground sports betting is already common on Taiwan's main island.
Meanwhile, Chinese tourists, who have been the driving force behind the development of gambling in Macau, already make frequent visits to Matsu by ferry for sightseeing.
William Weidner, of Weidner Resorts Taiwan and US lobby group Freedomswatch, is behind the US$8 billion proposal to build a casino on Matsu. He has pledged US$2.5 billion (part of the total $8 billion) to improve local infrastructure, including an upgrade of the Matsu Beigan Airport. But his proposal has drawn some criticism after he suggested that plans for the casino (along with local infrastructure funding) might be withdrawn if the Government of Taiwan does not move quickly enough to amend laws as necessary.
In 2013, at the celebration for Chinese New Year, tycoon Terry Gou proposed the development of a Las Vegas-style casino industry in New Taipei City and additional "convention and exhibition facilities" in the Tamsui District. Mayor Eric Chu agreed that such a plan would make the city more competitive and would attract more foreign tourists.
Anti-casino groups have, however, called for a complete withdrawal of the bill, urging the government not to count on casinos to boost tourism.
Pan Han-shen, former spokesman for the Green Party Taiwan, said Thursday that even without a single casino today, Taiwan has seen tourist numbers on the rise. He urged politicians not to equate gambling with a tourism influx.
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