Monday, more than 1,000 people joined in a “backward march” in Taipei to protest a bill that lifts the country’s ban on casino construction. The bill, which Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan passed in January, will allow outside companies to build casinos on the country’s offshore islands if a majority of voters approve of doing so in local referendums.

The march began in Taipei’s Liberty Square and progressed to President Ma Ying-jeou’s offices. At the Jingfu Gate, protestors marched backward to signify the backward progress they feel the new pro-casino policy will cause.

The march was in response to a recent decision from members of Taiwan’s ruling Kuomintang party to limit the number of offshore casinos to two. Party members decided that they would not issue a third license until 10 years after issuing the initial two.

Kuomintang members did so, a government report said, to “avoid competition and reduce possible social impacts.” However, protestors at Monday’s march do not feel the concession goes far enough. One activist, Buddhist Master Shih Chao-hui, argued that the total monetary cost of a pro-casino policy would outweigh its $63 million in projected gains.

“According to U.S. studies, 17 percent of gamblers would become addicted and it takes $18,000 to treat each of them,” Shih said. “Based on the figures, if 4.5 million gamblers in Penghu are from Taiwan, then we will need to spend ($1.3 billion) — plus other welfare spending and costs — to treat them.”

Despite these concerns, protestors worry, the government may still proceed with a referendum on whether to build a casino in the Penghu archipelago as early as this year.