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Fijians Say No to $ 2 Billion Chinese Casino Plan

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Xenia Luch

03 January 2024

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Fiji

Fijian citizens are voicing their strong opposition to a $2 billion casino project proposed by Chinese investors.

One of the critics of the plan is Vani Catanasiga, the Executive Director of the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS). He stressed that the government should focus on solving the social problems faced by the local people instead of building a gambling hub for foreigners.

The Fijian Labour Party also opposes the project. Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry warned that gambling can lead to various crimes, such as corruption, drug trafficking, extortion, human trafficking, prostitution, and money laundering.

“We just don’t have the resources or the competence to handle such complex issues to keep our people safe from its harmful effects”, he said, pointing out Fiji’s serious drug problem.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said that the government has not yet decided or approved any casino license proposals. Officials will tackle this issue in 2024.