Ma permits casino-building on outlying islands only

Ma said that the central government would not consider the legalization of casinos on Taiwan island proper, even though counties such as Yunlin, Chiayi, and Pingtung have previously made such requests. However, he denied that the central government was biased towards outlying islands, stressing that this was the correct approach given the economic disadvantages suffered by the outlying islands.

Ma further emphasized that gambling would only occupy about five percent of Penghu's tourism areas, and that Penghu would not become another Macau or Las Vegas.

Groups opposed to the legalization of casinos gathered in Penghu yesterday to protest the planned opening of casinos. Ma responded by saying that the central government had merely passed legislation enabling the outlying islands to establish casinos. Whether they chose to do so was a matter for their residents, to be decided by referendum.

Responding to allegations that he failed to live up to his promise of attracting three thousand Chinese tourists a day, Ma said that three thousand had always been the government's upper limit and not a target. He added that numbers and quality were of equal importance, and that the upper limit was set so as to ensure that quality would be maintained.

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