Japan: Police bust illegal casino operating as casino school

Police in Tokyo have raided an illegal casino that was operating as a school for players training to play at Japan’s future integrated resorts.

Japan.- Police have busted a business in Tokyo they was found to be operating an illegal casino.

The “The International Casino Player Academy ” presented itself as a casino school, but investigators found that it was actually a full-blown illegal casino that offered baccarat, poker and other games.

Six people were arrested, including the venue’s manager. Police seized JPY3m (US$27,300) in cash.

The casino’s website said the business was a classroom in which you can gain know-how and learn how to win. IT presented casino play as an investment rather than gambling.

The venue was located at a luxury apartment with a sale price of around JPY200m (US$1.8m).

Japan plans to allow three integrated resorts to open in the country in the coming years, although Bill Hornbuckle, MGM president and CEO, has said he believes Japan will only build two in the first round of development. 

Hornbuckle said he thinks Nagasaki and Wakayama may not be able to meet the national government’s requirements in terms of non-gaming facilities and other matters. 

That would leave Osaka and Yokohama as the only contenders, resulting in Japan being able to launch just two instead of three IRs if both bids were approved.

As for Yokohama, after withdrawing as a sole contender, Sega Sammy has announced that it has entered into a partnership with Genting Singapore to join its bid to build an integrated resort in Yokohama.

Sega Sammy hailed Genting Singapore as the best possible partner for an integrated resort due to its successful Resorts World Sentosa operation in Singapore. 

Genting Singapore said it will be leading the consortium of Japanese partners to create “a world-class IR destination that is strategically positioned, sustainable and anchored on strong local collaborations.”

It said it is “ideally positioned to deliver an iconic IR to transform and grow Yokohama City to become a major tourist destination.”