Public Consultations on Integrated Casino Resort Regulations Are a Go In Japan

Public debate on the problematique of forthcoming integrated casino resort regulations in Japan have been launched and are due to end on October 3rd. Until then, all interested parties can partake and submit comments regarding this issue.

The consultation was launched on September 3rd by the country’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The debate seeks to collect all the perspectives on regulations that were approved in March this year by the country’s ruling Cabinet. The ultimate goal is to issue licenses for three integrated resorts, with plans for opening in the next 4-5 years.

Plenty of Amenities

Integrated resorts will, apart from casinos itself, house hotels, conference halls and exhibition centers…

…while the gambling premises will cover only about 3% of venue’s entire area. It will be mandatory, under Japanese law, that these facilities also include areas for cultural content: cinemas, theaters, music halls and restaurants. Tourists will not be paying a fee in order to enter one of these resorts. However, Japanese residents will have to pay a 6,000 yen fee.

People under the age of 20 won’t be allowed to gamble. Those who get selected as IR operators will need to obtain a casino business license in order to build the property. After that, another permit is needed – casino facility service license – that will cover the operation of the venue. This one must be approved by casino management board that will, gradually, take on the role of a national gambling regulator.

Only For Operators With a Vision

Another instance that will have a say over what the resort would look like…

…is the prefecture in which the IR will be built. For instance, they get to decide on the operator that wishes to build a resort there. These operators will need to hold consultations with population of the prefecture during the process of building the resort.

A big part in the selection process, and the criteria that will help determine which operator gets the job, would be operators’ ideas on making sure the prefecture gets a good return through investment and tourism. They will also need to come up with plans on measures that will counteract potential negative effects of gambling and protect young citizens.

A Huge Interest

Japan’s final aim is to obtain a flock of 60 million tourists entering the country by 2030 and to spend, in the vicinity, a total of 15 million yen. Last July, the integrated resort bill was signed by Prime Minster, Abe. At the earliest, the first facility could be opened in 2025.

The public consultations were due to begin in March, right after the regulations were approved by The Fourth Cabinet…

…and the Hard Rock International, Wynn Resorts and Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment will all be bidding for their license.

Caesars Entertainment has decided to abandon the race, while Las Vegas Sands is still undecided about the prefecture in which they’d like to do business.

An average resort is said to be costing $10 billion and more. MGM Resorts is nearing their Osaka venue realization, while LSV and Wynn Resorts are contemplating Tokyo and Yokohama.

Source:

“Japan launches public consultation on IR regulations”, igamingbusiness.com, September 4, 2019.