Taiwan is rustling up another referendum to bring casino gambling to one of its outlying islands, according to local media outlets.
This time, it’s the residents of the Kinmen County who will decide whether they want to have a casino developed in their hometown, reported local newspaper Taiwan News. The vote could come “in October at the soonest,” according to the report.
An official from the Kuomintang political party filed a petition with the Kinmen County government to hold a referendum on legalizing gambling in the island, which would pave the way for casinos to be established in the country. Supporters, however, need to gather 6,307 signatures endorsing the proposal before it can be sent to the appropriate election committee to prepare for a referendum.
If all goes according to plan, this could be the third time a Taiwanese outlying island will hold a referendum on gambling after the government lifted the 15-year prohibition on gambling on the islands of Kinmen, Matsu and Penghu in September 2009.
The two previous referendums were held in Penghu, but residents voted—twice—against the idea of allowing casino resorts in the country. In the October 2016 referendum, 81 percent or 26,598 residents voted against the casino plan, while 6,210 votes were in favor of the drive to bring casinos to Taiwan.
Kinmen has about 140,000 residents registered, but the actual population living in the island is only 60,000. If the referendum is held, phantom voters will play the key in the poll, according to the report.
Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has been vocal about its opposition to casinos on the islands. President Tsai Ing-wen even vowed that the she and the ruling DPP administration would demonstrate its resolve and ability to promote economic development in Penghu to prove that that gaming is not the only way to boost local development.
