Gambling loans concern Japanese lawmakers

Opposition parties claim gambling loans may be harmful as the government seeks to get the Diet session extended to pass the IR Implementation bill.

Japan.- The Integrated Resorts (IR) Implementation Bill is one of the main topics for lawmakers in Japan as they race against the clock to pass it before the current Diet session ends on June 20th. However, despite the ruling coalition’s intention to push for the project and its optimism around its chances, opposition parties remain concerned about potential loans from casinos to wealthy gamblers.

According to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and partner Komeito, only wealthy Japanese and foreign nationals would be eligible to use the loan system. Furthermore, Toru Mihara, one of the members of the government’s expert panel on casinos, asserted that Japanese casinos would not be able to attract VIPs unless the loan system was implemented.

Still, the opposition says the loan provision would only encourage gambling addiction, even if it only affects wealthy gamblers that may end up with a mountain of gambling debt. That’s why they wanted to discuss the bill at the committee for at least 50 hours, instead of the 18 hours it actually took to send the bill to the lower house.

Next Tuesday lawmakers could pass the bill and send it to the upper house, where it might turn into Law if the government manages to extend the current Diet session past the June 20th deadline.