Asian Gaming Summit takes a look at Taiwan’s gaming prospects

Industry players, experts and affiliates are coming to Taiwan for a brand new conference that will assess, among other things, the Asian country’s chances of becoming the next big casino, entertainment and integrated resorts destination.

The inaugural Taiwan Gaming Summit, which will be held from Nov. 8-10 at W Taipei, promises to take a look at the current state of things as well as the future opportunities for the casino industry in Taiwan.

The three-day event couldn’t have come at a better time, as the island of Kinmen is scheduled to vote on a gambling referendum on October 28. This is the third time a Taiwanese outlying island will hold a referendum on gambling after the government lifted the 15-year prohibition on gambling on the islands of Kinmen, Matsu and Penghu in September 2009.

The two previous referendums were held in Penghu, but residents voted—twice—against the idea of allowing casino resorts in the country. In the October 2016 referendum, 81 percent or 26,598 residents voted against the casino plan, while 6,210 votes were in favor of the drive to bring casinos to Taiwan.