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MOTC takes charge of Matsu casino plans

Matsu’s northern island of Beigan, a tourist draw for the past decade, could now become home to a casino resort. (CNA)

• Publication Date：07/10/2012
• Source： Taiwan Today
• By  June Tsai

The ROC Ministry of Transportation and Communications will take charge of gaming industry-related affairs in the wake of a Matsu referendum greenlighting the construction of a casino resort in the outlying archipelago, according to Cabinet spokesman Hu Yu-wei.

A cross-ministerial meeting chaired by Ministers without Portfolio Luo Ying-shay and Yang Chiu-hsing made the decision July 9, Hu said.

The MOTC will be responsible for coordination among government agencies in preparing measures needed to follow up on the referendum, including finalization of a draft bill governing the gaming industry and formulation of responses to potential problems stemming from the legalization of gambling.

Interagency cooperation will be crucial, as regulation of casino resorts involves tourism, casino oversight and investment, Hu said.

MOTC Minister Mao Chi-kuo said gambling activities must be placed under strict control. He stressed the necessity of establishing a gaming commission with police authority, as well as a foundation dedicated to the prevention of gambling addiction.

The special act on gaming will see to the fulfillment of these three conditions, he said.

Hu said the Lienchiang County Government, which administers Matsu, will also have to submit a plan to the MOTC on the establishment of a special gambling tourism zone.

The development of casino tourism has been a controversial issue in Taiwan as gambling is illegal under the country’s Criminal Code. The result of the Matsu referendum now requires that the government take action.

An amendment to the Offshore Islands Development Act was passed in 2009 that allows casino gambling if approved by residents in a referendum. Penghu was the first to hold such a vote, in 2009, but the initiative failed to win citizen support.

Matsu residents voted in favor of casino resorts July 7, with 56 percent of voters backing the initiative in a turnout of 40.76 percent. (THN)