Taiwanese Residents Will Cast Ballots on Casino Gambling

The citizens of the Penghu Islands will get a chance this summer to vote on whether to approve plans to bring casinos and gambling to their quiet location.

Residents of Penghu, the archipelago off the west coast of Taiwan, will most likely have the chance to decide for themselves if they want casino gambling to come to their islands. The Taiwanese Cabinet said a referendum will probably be held in the island chain in August to determine the popular will regarding gaming.

Local residents are being asked to weigh in because introduction of casinos is certain to affect living conditions, including the ambiance and infrastructure. The Penghu County government had applied for the referendum in April. Still, five percent of Penghu voters have to sign a petition to force the initiative onto the ballot.

A spokesman for the Cabinet said Premier Liu Chao-shiuan would visit Penghu tomorrow to inspect local capacity for tourism, and the conditions of roads and transportation.

Laws passed by the Yuan, Taiwan's legislative body, last January allow two casinos to be built, with a third on hold for at least ten years. Each casino must be linked with hotel-resorts containing a minimum of one thousand rooms.

The Cabinet spokesman said if Penghu voters approve the casinos, Transportation Minister Mao Chi-kuo will likely form a commission to oversee gambling development.