Taiwan plans to take on Macau and Las Vegas with Super Casino Complex

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Created on Wednesday, 22 July 2009 13:49

Local government officials in a series of offshore islands in Taiwan have gone on record saying that they are planning to build a huge casino resort complex costing almost $1 billion if locals agree in a referendum to be held shortly.

The new resort will be built in the archipelago of Penghu (no relation to the children's character of the same name). They'll be casinos of course, plus hotels, golf and a convention centre- the standard fare to get the punters in.

Penghu is aiming to emulate its big brother across the Formosa Straits who have turned Macau into the biggest gambling town on the planet. But they face some difficulties in that Penghu is pretty remote. Some of the big guns of the gaming world (such as Harrah's) have already made a trip to examine the potential.

Taiwan's MPs voted to legalise gambling on the windswept islands at the beginning of the year, with plans for up to 3 casino-resorts in Penghu.

But before foundations are sunk, the plans must go t the vote with the inhabitants of the islands- a vote that is likely to give the go ahead, given the economic potential of the scheme.

The Penghu Casino project would take between 4 and 5 years to come into fruition.