Taiwan’s Council for Economic Planning and Development (CEPD) should present its gambling industry study before the end of December. In the meantime the Presidential Office has reportedly set up a panel to undertake the task of collecting related information with the intention of speeding the enactment of gaming legislation. However, these media reports were later denied by the Presidential Office, which stated that it was the right of the CEPD to take the initiative on gambling.

President Ma Ying-jeou made an election campaign pledge to support casino legislation in Taiwan. A presidential spokesman commented that legal amendments and respect for the opinions of the local population will be the key elements in any changes of laws on gambling. An expert from the University of Nevada Las Vegas is expected at Soochow University where he will give an insight into Singapore’s experience in developing a gambling industry. The two universities will release the findings of a joint study into the way forward for Taiwan’s gaming development.

If the CEPD report views gambling legislation favourably, local governments would be allowed to file applications for casino development once relevant regulations had been formalised. Priority is likely to be given to Penghu and the islands of Kinmen and Matsu, although many municipalities are known to view gambling as a way to stimulate local economies. The local governments would have to show that their residents approved casino development in their area as well as proving they can attract legitimate foreign investment and gain potential economic benefits.
(E-12.08.08)

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