Japan authorises poker in IR bill

The government decided to change its policy and will allow operators to offer poker games under the Integrated Resorts bill.

Japan.- The Japanese government had initially stood against poker games but has made a decision to allow them under the latest modification to the Integrated Resorts (IR) bill. The game’s popularity has turned their position and forced them to work towards making casino dealers keep the games fair rather than just prohibiting the game.

Originally, the government wanted to only allow betting games based on chance outcomes such as roulette, blackjack and Baccarat. That would have excluded poker and suggests a ban on games such as mah-jong or gambling on shogi.

Unlike other player vs. player games, poker is highly popular and has several professional players registered in foreign tournaments like those in Las Vegas or Macau. That’s why Japan has steered towards allowing the game and potentially hosting its own poker championships to bring game enthusiasts to the country.

Still, the government will assess how to conduct poker activities at Japan IR’s without having unfair competitors gambling at the tables. One possibility is to ban acquaintances from sitting at the same tables, while dealers will choose players out of those wishing to join a game.

It is still unknown which poker games will be allowed under the new bill as it would be decided by “casino management committees,” which would be set up after the passage of the IR bill.