More than 1,000 people representing a number of civic and religious organizations, joined a “backwards march” in Taipei yesterday to show their opposition to the construction of casino resorts on off-shore islands. Lining up behind a big red banner that read: “Save Taiwan from casinos,” the activists began their demonstration in Liberty Square and marched toward the Presidential Office.

Tallahassee – Florida’s multibillion-dollar budget deficit is forcing Republican legislative leaders to reconsider their opposition to a deal that Gov. Charlie Crist struck last year to expand tribal gambling. Officials for the Seminole Tribe of Florida have met over the past several weeks with new House Speaker Ray Sansom, R-Destin, and other legislators to kick-start talks on a compact that gave the tribe the right to install Las Vegas-style slots and blackjack tables at its seven casinos in the state.

Baguio City – A plan to establish a gaming complex in the Camp John Hay (CJH) special economic zone here has revived a multi-sectoral opposition to all forms of gambling in the city. This developed as the city council here voted to disapprove the plan to set up a casino in CJH. In disapproving the plan, the councilors said their action is consistent with the city’s anti-gambling policy that has been enforced for many years now.

The deal struck between three casino companies and the Nevada State Education Association to end the teachers union quest to raise gaming taxes is not sitting well with everyone. While Station Casinos, Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Resorts support the measure to increase room taxes, MGM Mirage and Las Vegas Sands do not. They are asking the Clark County Commission to keep the advisory measure off of the November ballot.