Japan casinos expect further assessments

The governmental tourism division is also preparing an assessment about the legal casino industry.

Japan.- The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) is drafting a complete analysis on the Japanese casino development in order to add regulations to the recently legalised industry. National debates on gaming legislations have been delaying the licensing process to begin casino constructions.

Whilst gaming projects are being discussed between regional administrations, national authorities, investors and the Casino Management Board, the development of the industry will also have to wait for the MLIT’s assessment, as the Japanese press published this week. The MLIT will be in charge of controlling and publishing annual casino transactions and financial results.

Under national regulations, MLIT will be able to carry out on-site inspections in case casino operators are not complying with the financial expectations for the entertainment and tourism industries. National legislators are discussing several ways of limiting the casino development in Japan. The latest proposal is to register the residents’ visits to casinos in order to ban them if authorities consider there is a risk of problem gambling. Japanese players would be asked to present their “My Number” identity card every time they enter a gaming venue.

Licensing process and casino development would begin once the government sets the complete legislations. The Japanese government is aiming to move forward with the idea to turn casino resorts into growth engines to prevent the economy from shaking when the consumption tax increases are introduced in late 2019 and the Tokyo Olympics.