Casino Gambling Becomes Legal in Japan

In a swift move by the country’s Parliament and House of Representatives, Japan made land-based facilities officially legal with the adoption of the Integrated Resorts Implementation Bill which was announced last week.

Prime Minister on Board

The piece of legislature has had the full backing of the country’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, despite the vocal though diminutive opposition by the anti-gambling stance currently within the Japanese government. The new legal landscape also means that the country will begin handing out licenses, although the first casino is not expected to be open before 2025.

For the time being, up to three new casino operators will receive the permit for building the venue on Japanese soil. This quantity will be reviewable every seven years when more new spots will be considered. Casinos will also come with ission tickets and certain fees that punter will need to pay in order to enter.

Long But Promising Road Ahead

Casino goers, both domestic and foreign, will also all get an ID number in order for authorities to keep track easily of the amount of people visiting. The minimum legal age for entering casinos in Japan will be set to 20.

Before the legalization of gambling began being discussed, the Japan’s House of Councilors ed the framework bill in regards to gambling addiction, which will be closely addressed by the institutions and authorities close to this issue on the national level.

Also, in the final quarter of 2016, far-sighted as ever, MGM Resorts International foresaw this casino legalization outcome and even back then made claims that they are prepared to invest as much as $10 billion in Japanese casino. This would entail a type of “integrated resort,” with casinos, hotels, shopping malls and conference space all combined into one single impressive premise. The possible cities that could host this venue are Osaka, Tokyo and Yokohama.

Source:

“Japan legalizes casino gambling; first resorts expected in mid-‘20s”, Adamczyk Ed, upi.com, July 20, 2018.