Tokyo sets casino school

The capital city of Japan, Tokyo is preparing citizens for the possibility of a new casino industry.

Japan.- As a casino industry is getting closer to full legalisation in Japan, citizens of Tokyo, the capital city, are able to join a casino school to start preparing for the upcoming industry that would generate a new market with plenty of job positions. A Japanese businessman, Masayoshi Oiwane, has set up a casino school in the city that will potentially host an integrated resort.

“Our enrollment has doubled from last year,” commented Masayoshi Oiwane referring to this year’s expectations for the school. “We are seeing an unprecedented level of momentum.” Meanwhile, Toru Mihara, an expert on the casino sector at Osaka University of Commerce, said just one single integrated resort could create tens of thousands of jobs and have a “great impact on the local economy”.

“Tourists will come to energise various regions,” he told AFP, urging Japan to pursue conference and exhibition business as well. “This can grow as a new and major industry.”

Casino regulation is getting closer in Japan as the lower house passed the Integrated Resorts (IR) Implementation Bill last week and sent it to the upper house for further approval. In order to get it turned into Law, the government decided to extend the current Diet session but it is set to face tough opposition in the House of Councilors.

Should the bill get past the objections from the opposition, casinos are likely to be opened in the mid-2020s with some regulations regarding location, smoking inside venues and other topics. Location-wise, facilities will be allowed to open in up to three locations in the country. Furthermore, Japanese locals will be allowed to enter casinos only three times a week or ten times a month and will be charged US$54 while foreigners won’t have any restrictions or entrance fees.