China and Matsu are hoping that the offshore island group of Matsu will attract a large number of gamblers from China. As Anita Chen, a Taipei-based managing director for US-based lobbying firm Park Strategies said, “People that are looking to building casinos anywhere in Taiwan are eyeing Chinese tourists.”
The Matsu government explained that they had a turn out of 40% of eligible voters, and a vote of “yes” from 1795 voters (as compared to 1341 no). Matsu has a population of about 10,000 and is eager to attract tourists since it has been hit by a drawdown of troops in the Taiwan Strait.
It is predicted that Matsu will need three to five years to set up their gambling industry. They need to finish getting the Gambling Act approved by the Taiwan Cabinet and then need to put together a bid for an operator. It could take another three years from that point before the casino is actually built and ready for operations.