Xi opposition could be a hold-up
Casino gaming has always been something of a hard sell in Taiwan, with multiple failed referendums on the islands of Penghu and Kinmen. The Matsu island group, which approved gaming in a 2012 vote, attracted no interest from global operators and failed to proceed with a development plan.
Despite that lack of resolve, Liu Hsi-lin, vice president of Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism, says the country’s government should reconsider casinos as a way to fire up tourism.
According to LCB.org, new figures indicate that the tourism deficit exceeded TWD300 billion (US$9.7 billion) for the first time in 2017, continuing a downward trend that started in 2011. Liu points to Singapore as a model of how casinos can grow the tourism sector.
Earlier this year, Bill Bryson of Global Market Advisors said the jurisdiction could still be a viable gaming destination in the Asia-Pacific. “These referendums can only be held every three years, so we’re waiting at least until 2019 or 2020 before it comes up again,” Bryson said. “I think the real setback is the percentage” of voter turnout.
He also cited politics as a cause, and noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping has made it clear that he doesn’t want casinos in Matsu and Kinmen. Xi’s opposition could make the Taiwanese government extra-cautious.
