Council wants to legalize gambling

BATAM, Riau Islands: A number of Kepri councillors are requesting that gambling be legalized in the area to increase local revenue.

The head of council Commission I for law and governance, Endhi Laulidi, said that since illegal gambling brought no benefit to the region, legalizing it made sense so as to generate local revenue.

"To realize the plan, the 1999-2004 council issued a bylaw on an exclusive integrated tourist site for a casino in the international tourism area, Bintan Resort, in Lagoi. We agreed to it as it will contribute to the area," he said.

Endhi said opening a casino in the Bintan Resort, in Lagoi, would have its merits and drawbacks, but the council would stand by its decision to allow gambling. The rest of the council has yet to endorse the bylaw.-- JP