The residents of Taiwan’s Matsu island have voted in favour of allowing a casino to be developed in the area – potentially paving the way for integrated casino resorts.
According to local media, a referendum saw residents vote 1,795 to 1,341 in favour of permitting the construction of a casino resort.
The Taiwanese government passed legislation approving casino resorts in 2009 but each referendum had, until now, produced a negative result. The way may now be clear for major international developers to begin drafting plans for gaming resorts in Taiwan, which many believe is a target for the likes of Las Vegas Sands.
There are dissenting voices, however, with some politicians questioning the viability of such developments on the country’s outlying islands. Matsu has a population of just 8,000 people.
