The residents of outlying islands in Taiwan could be asked to vote again on allowing casinos to be built in the country.
The proposed vote is expected after Taiwan’s presidential election, which takes place on January 16, and before the swearing in of the president in May.
The proposal will now be sent to the Taiwan premier for approval. If that is obtained, supporters of casinos will have to get five per cent of the residents of Penghu island to agree to a referendum.
However, back in 2009 residents of the islands voted down the plan for casinos to be developed, so an uphill struggle is also expected this time around.
On Matsu island the residents have already voted in favour of casinos for foreigners to gamble in the hope of increasing tourism. However, since that vote in 2012 the process to move forward has been stalled and no legislation has so far been enabled.
But the most important factor is China; so far the government has said it will not allow Taiwan residents to gamble and has not indicated whether it will issue visas for Chinese residents to gamble either.
