Ma Ying-jeou Pledges to Open Up Gambling Business

Taipei, April 10, 2008 (CENS)--President-elect Ma Ying-jeou pledged yesterday (April 9) to push opening up of gambling business after swearing into office by revising the Statute for Offshore Island Development, a move expected to benefit mainly Penghu whose residents have been advocating permission for it to develop gambling business in order to invigorate its sluggish economy.

Ma made the announcement during a trip to Penghu to express his gratitude for the support of its residents for him during the presidential election, adding that after the revision of the aforementioned statute, the central government will be able to delegate municipal governments to decide whether to develop gambling business, preferably after achieving consensus among local people via either resolution of local assemblies or regional referendum.

Ma also noted that Makung airport of Penghu will be among the first batch of airports permitted to engage in direct cross-Taiwan Strait flights, which will facilitate effort of the local tourist industry to solicit Chinese tourists from coastal areas in Southern China, notably southern Fujian Province.

In fact, Penghu has been gearing up for development of gambling business in recent years, as the county government has planned to permit initiation of gambling business at four sites, including Meijing Fengkuei vacation resort, Great Penghu International Vacation Resort, a site of Penghu Oceanic Development Co. and a four-hectare plot owned by the county government.

Wang Chien-kang, Penghu county magistrate, noted that four foreign conglomerates, including Malaysia`s Genting Group, have expressed interest in investing in gambling business in Penghu, attracted as they are by Penghu`s favorable conditions, including convenient access to Makung airport via international charter flights.

Except Penghu, a number of other municipalities are also actively seeking permission for the development of gambling business, including Taipei county, Kaohsiung county, Miaoli county, Taoyuan county, Taichung city, Changhua county, and Taitung county.

Four leading U.S. gambling business groups, MGM, Harras, SANDS, and Wynn, have provided information to the government in formulating the statute for casino management, via the mediation of the Nevada state office in Taipei.

Charlyne Chen, Taipei representative of the Nevada state government, reported that the four U.S. groups are evaluating proper sites for their potential gambling business in Taiwan.

Source