Off-shore casino plan met with opposition

The group held a news conference Wednesday to voice their opposition to a reported plan by the government to develop the gaming industry in the chain of islands located 50 km from Taiwan’s western coast.

According to a local newspaper, the Executive Yuan has instructed the Council for Economic Planning and Development (CEPD) to draft regulations concerning construction of casinos on the archipelago in the Taiwan Strait in order to boost tourism in the region and to create job opportunities.

Chen Tain-jy, CEPD chairman, said that the assessment report on the gaming industry on off-shore islands will be completed by the end of this year, according to the report.

However, Yeh Chih-kui, a professor of the Department of Sports and Leisure Studies at National Dong Hwa University, said at the press conference Wednesday that Taiwan does not meet the necessary requirements to develop the gaming business.

“How can Taiwan attract foreign gamblers since it is not located in an ideal and convenient location among countries in Southeast Asia?” asked Yeh, adding that Taiwan cannot compete with regional casino haven Macau, which attracts many gamblers from mainland China.

Yeh also stressed that Las Vegas serves as an example of the strong link between gambling and a higher crime rate.

He questioned whether Taiwan’s government is able to boost the local economy with casinos while guaranteeing people’s safety.

Tien Chiu-chin, an opposition Democratic Progressive Party legislator who organized the press conference, noted that gambling businesses may have a negative impact on Taiwanese youth, arguing that some young people in Macau have given up studying to work in casinos.

Some residents of Penghu county are also opposed to the idea of boosting the local economy with the gambling business, arguing that the real asset of the off-shore islands is its natural beauty.

“Penghu is an ecological island with clean water and blue sky. Tourism is the key of stimulating the economy and creating job opportunities,” said Chen Shiang-yu, head of a local environmental association.

They demanded the government hold public debates and a referendum on the issue.

Penghu is best known for its quiet, white sand beaches, water sports such as windsurfing, as well as ecological richness. It is designated by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications as the Penghu National Scenic Area.

The archipelago is one of the most remote places of Taiwan, offering a laidback atmosphere, as most of it is farmland. Many of the archipelago’s youth have moved to Taiwan proper to work.

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