New cities push for Japan casino license

As public hearings sessions are about to finish, further cities present their projects to host a casino.

Japan.- Hokkaido has been added to the list of potential casino hosts cities in Japan after yesterday’s public hearing. The government started a tour through Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Sendai, Sapporo, Nagoya, Toyama and Takamatsu in Kagawa Prefecture to discuss gaming policies and receive casino projects.

“Hokkaido is the best location for an IR. It possesses the resources to really satisfy the guests,” stated a participant yesterday. Tomakomai and Kushiro authorities were present during the public session. Meanwhile, in Sapporo’s public hearing, Makoto Nakagawa, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Office of Integrated Resort Regime Promotion, received the residents’ opinions.

Local cities have officially started the competition to obtain the casino license for the upcoming Japanese market. Rinku Town in Izumisano, Osaka Prefecture, Wakayama Marina City in Wakayama Prefecture and Yumeshima island in Osaka Bay were named as potential bidders for the development of integrated resorts.

The public hearings in Japan to define the future of the casino industry have led to divided opinions. Japanese residents presented their arguments to national authorities last week showing big concern about anti-problem gambling legislation. The public hearing’s tour finishes today and Japanese legislators expect to add residents’ opinions to the bill, which would be debated next autumn.