However, it depends on the result of local referendum on gambling. Does Penghu County that has been the most aggressive in developing casino gaming business have a chance to start constructing casinos before the end of this year? Minister Mao answered that after Penghu County completes the referendum, it depends on the circumstances.

With respect to the development and planning of Taiwan's gaming business, the pattern adopted by Singapore will be used as a reference and foreign investors with gaming expertise could be introduced. Furthermore, casinos should be located within international resorts rather than ordinary hotels.  Based on the initial planning, two gaming licences will be issued to the Penghu region.

Taiwanese tourism and leisure business company Janfusan formed an alliance with the British Amazing Group in November 2007 to enter Penghu's gaming market. The blueprint of a large-scale resort and gaming park carved out by Amazing happens to be in line with the condition of the casino being situated within an international tourism resort which was pointed out by Mao. 

Amazing plans to construct a large-scale resort containing a department store, amusement park, hotel and casino. This concept is the same as the Taiwan government's plans. 

According to Janfusan, after the referendum and related governmental rules are passed, the construction of the Amazing gaming park will proceed. When the resort officially starts operating, Janfusan will be responsible for the operation and management of department store, amusement park and hotel in the resort.

Moreover, Minister Mao said that the opening of casino gaming in Taiwan is to be divided into four phases. These will be the first phase of preparation and referendum, the second phase will announce the acceptance of tourism resort applications, the third phase will be of construction (resorts need to be built before casinos), and then the final phase of operation.

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