TAIPEI, TAIWAN - A group of Taiwan lawmakers are pushing for a law to legalize gambling business on the offshore islands.

Gambling, for centuries condemned as a scourge of Chinese society, is now seen by some Taiwan officials as a solution to the economic woes of islands such as Penghu. Supporters say allowing gambling would boost economy, attract foreigners and reduce the huge sums Taiwanese wager away every year in Macau, Las Vegas, and the Philippines.

Anti-gambling activists argue that economic gains are overstated and legalization would cause obscenity, violence, and other social problems.

According to local television reports, Penghu business leader Li Fu Chen is actively preparing for a $666 million investment project in collaboration with U.S. firm Las Vegas Sands Inc. (LVSI), to develop a vacation villa in Penghu which will include a five-star hotel, a casino, restaurants and facilities for beach recreation activities. The casino would not only end a longstanding ban on gambling in Taiwan but also creates a new regional attraction for Chinese eager to test their luck.

Sheldon Andelson, chairman of the board of Las Vegas Sands, said in a press statement March 8 that LVSI would be interested in pursing a gaming venture in Taiwan if the local government would adopt a favorable policy towards gambling. He further stated, "LVSI have been in discussions with developers interested in establishing tourism and casino operations on Penghu Island. In the event that gaming is legalized in Taiwan, we believe that our expertise and resources in the hotel, tourism and gaming fields would be very helpful in the creation of a first class resort there."

The Penghu Islands, also known as the Pescadores, are located in the Taiwan Strait about 83 miles from the southern Taiwan city Kaohsiung.

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