• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Features
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Criteria met for referendum on gaming in Penghu: report

May 20, 2016 Newsdesk Latest News, Rest of Asia, Top of the deck  


Criteria met for referendum on gaming in Penghu: report

More than 5,000 signatures of eligible voters in Taiwan’s outlying island chain of Penghu (pictured) have been collected, paving the way for a local referendum on whether Penghu will allow casino gaming within its county boundary, reports Taiwan’s Central News Agency.

The pro-casino lobby had to collect signatures amounting to 5 percent of the island chain’s 82,269 eligible voters – i.e., 4,113 voters – in order to trigger a referendum, and had successfully done so, said the agency, quoting Chen Meng, described as head of pro-casino group “Alliance Promoting Internationalisation of Penghu”.

As soon as the number of signatures reaches the Alliance’s self-defined threshold of 6,000, the group will send them to the county’s election commission for a review, Mr Chen reportedly said. He added the earliest such a referendum could take place would be prior to year-end. That was because there would need to be authentication of the signatures and public meetings to explain the objectives of the referendum.

A prohibition on commercial casino gambling – in relation to Taiwan’s outlying island chains of Matsu, of Kinmen and of Penghu – was lifted in 2009 by Taiwan’s government. A ban on such activity still applies to the main island.

In a referendum in July 2012, the residents of Matsu voted in favour of casino resorts as a means of attracting tourists and boosting the local economy. But a Penghu referendum in September 2009 resulted in more than 17,000 Penghu residents voting against such a plan for their county.

It would still be up to Taiwan’s central government to authorise the regulation of casino resorts on outlying islands.

The success of Taiwan’s casino industry could depend on mainland China’s visa policies, several investment analysts have said. Mainland China officials last year ruled out the idea of that country’s citizens being allowed to travel to any of Taiwan’s outlying islands gaining the right to operate casinos.

Brokerage Union Gaming Securities Asia Ltd suggested in a January note that the legalisation of casinos in Taiwan could face new challenges following the election of Tsai Ing-wen, from the independence-minded Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), as president. Ms Tsai was sworn in on Friday.

“With the DPP now controlling the levers of government in Taiwan, we would expect this already hard-line approach to mainlanders potentially gambling in Taiwan to harden further still,” said Union Gaming in the January note.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Singapore lifts restrictions for travellers from Taiwan Dec 18
    Singapore lifts restrictions for...

    Dec 14, 2020  

  • Good news likely on mainland ties says Macau security boss
    Good news likely on mainland ties says...

    Aug 06, 2020  

More news
  • Face tech ATMs in mainland’s Zhuhai near Macau say reports
    Face tech ATMs in mainland’s Zhuhai...

    Jan 19, 2021  

  • Investors see 2H Macau gain, rebound 2022: Bernstein
    Investors see 2H Macau gain, rebound...

    Jan 19, 2021  


Latest News

Face tech ATMs in mainland’s Zhuhai near Macau say reports

Face tech ATMs in mainland’s Zhuhai near Macau say reports

Jan 19, 2021  

Bank automated teller machines (ATMs) with facial recognition technology have been installed since Monday in some places in the mainland China city of Zhuhai, next door to Macau, according to several...
Read More
Investors see 2H Macau gain, rebound 2022: Bernstein

Investors see 2H Macau gain, rebound 2022: Bernstein

Jan 19, 2021  

MBS ArtScience Museum to host Star Wars exhibition

MBS ArtScience Museum to host Star Wars exhibition

Jan 19, 2021  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Partners

Pick of the Day

"We forecast Grand Lisboa Palace will have EBITDA of HKD2.0 billion (US$260 million) with 330 tables by 2022, and HKD3.5 billion with 380 tables by 2023"

Credit rating agency Fitch Ratings




Most Popular

  • CNY 2021 unlikely to boost Macau casinos, say observersCNY 2021 unlikely to boost Macau casinos, say observers January 15, 2021
  • Casino op MGM China to pay most staff discretionary bonusCasino op MGM China to pay most staff discretionary bonus January 18, 2021
  • Mass market play record 65pct Macau GGR in 4Q: govtMass market play record 65pct Macau GGR in 4Q: govt January 15, 2021
  • Malaysia Covid outlook negative to Genting Bhd: Moody’sMalaysia Covid outlook negative to Genting Bhd: Moody’s January 15, 2021
  • Wakayama casino RFP deadline affirms still 2 suitorsWakayama casino RFP deadline affirms still 2 suitors January 18, 2021
Copyright 2014-2020 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us