Council wants to legalize gambling

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