The outlying Matsu Island, administered by Lienchiang County Government, is considering a referendum on the establishment of casinos as part of the local government efforts to revitalize its economy, according to County Magistrate Yang Suei-sheng April 11.
“We are conducting a feasibility study on legalizing gambling, with the possibility of holding a countywide referendum on the issue in late August at the earliest,” Yang said.
“If local residents vote in favor of the referendum, we are hoping to develop a vacation resort with casinos as part of the tourist draw,” he added, citing Singapore's Sentosa as example.
The official noted that one major obstacle to the project is the lack of appropriate infrastructure. “Other than private investment, we will need the central government’s support, such as adding trimarans to ocean transport and upgrading airport facilities to handle large passenger aircraft.”
Yang pointed out that the residents of Penghu rejected a gambling referendum in September 2009 partly due to real estate speculation that greatly inflated land prices on the archipelago.
“Such problems are unlikely to happen in Matsu, as most plots available for development here are public properties. However, relevant regulations need to be in place for the release of these lands,” he said.
The county government will discuss its plans with central government officials, who are scheduled to hold a public hearing on a gambling bill in Matsu April 22, Yang said. (HZW)
Write to Meg Chang at meg.chang@mail.gio.gov.tw