Blaming a lack of social consensus on the issue, a spokesman for the Executive Yuan says that the Taiwanese government has no plans to legalise the gambling industry in the near future. Yesterday the Yuan approved a variety of measures to amend the Outlying Islands Development Act, which included allowing duty-free shops on Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu islands.

Local Penghu officials were said to be extremely dissatisfied with the outcome and consider that central government does not pay sufficient attention to the economic needs of the remote islands. The government spokesman commented that economics were not the only priority but that legal and moral issues were involved. Isle of Man-based Amazing Holdings has been developing a casino project for Penghu over the last eight years.

A similar casino bill for the outlying islands is on the legislative agenda for a vote before the end of the month, with opposition parties willing to back the measure. The government says it wants to put in place gaming regulations and laws before it promotes the gambling industry, but some accuse them of wanting to gain votes in next year’s elections by pushing for casinos on the mainland. (E-12.06.07)

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