You are in:
Voters to decide future of Taiwan casinos
Taiwan could get its first casinos if residents of the Penghu archipelago off its western coast approve in a September referendum. About 3600 of the Penghu islands' 70,000 residents - slightly more than required - have signed a petition to request the referendum, which will ask voters whether Penghu should "host international-calibre hotels with gaming facilities". Tourism is a significant industry on the islands.
The referendum on 26 September will be preceded by a governmentsponsored televised debate on 16 September, giving airtime to both supporters and opponents of casinos on Penghu.
However, even if the plan is passed casinos will remain prohibited on the main island of Taiwan, although some analysts believe that they will follow if offshore locations are unproblematic.
