Taiwan Enters Year of the Casino

Taiwan's legislature could approve the legalization of gambling on three offshore islands by the Chinese New Year in late January, Taiwanese media have reported.

The government promised Monday that it would have a report on the legalization of gambling ready by the end of December.

The report will favor the establishment of casinos on the island chain, an official for the country's Council for Economic Planning and Development said.

With the second reading of a gambling bill having already been completed, the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan's highest legislative body, needs only to complete the third reading to legalize gambling on the islands of Penghu, Quemoy and Matsu (together known as the Pescadores Archipelago), situated between Taiwan and mainland China, southeast of the Taiwan Strait.

The Legislative Yuan is scheduled to adjourn on January 23, one day before the beginning of the Chinese New Year holiday.

A referendum for locals is the final step in the path to full legalization of gambling on the islands. Penghu, which has already passed a non-binding referendum in favor of the gambling act, is likely to be the first country to open a casino.

Legalization of gambling in the holiday archipelago has been talked about for years, but have only appeared realistic since the election of pro-casino advocate Ma Ying-jeou to the presidency in May.