Thursday, March 22, 2007
TAIWAN REVIVES PLANS TO BUILD CASINOS
THE STRAITS TIMES THURSDAY MARCH 22 2007
Taking a leaf from Singapore which lifted a ban on casino gambling, Taiwan has revived long-stalled plans to build casinos. In a bid to boost Taiwan’s sluggish economy, the government may issue up to four casino licences. The idea of building a casino in 1996 was set asid because of concerns over the negative social impact association with gambling. However, citing the examples of Singapore, Macau and Britain, Taiwanese economic officials said that legalizing casino has become a “major global trend” that Taiwan can no longer afford to ignore. Casinos would boost Taiwan’s tax revenue and tourism as well as create jobs. Given the island’s geographical proximity to China, the casinos would be a great attraction to mainland tourists.
Taking a leaf from Singapore which lifted a ban on casino gambling, Taiwan has revived long-stalled plans to build casinos. In a bid to boost Taiwan’s sluggish economy, the government may issue up to four casino licences. The idea of building a casino in 1996 was set asid because of concerns over the negative social impact association with gambling. However, citing the examples of Singapore, Macau and Britain, Taiwanese economic officials said that legalizing casino has become a “major global trend” that Taiwan can no longer afford to ignore. Casinos would boost Taiwan’s tax revenue and tourism as well as create jobs. Given the island’s geographical proximity to China, the casinos would be a great attraction to mainland tourists.
# posted by Jackson @ 5:44:00 PM 
