The submission of a bill legalising casino resorts in Japan still seems possible during that country’s current parliamentary session, according to Union Gaming Research Macau.
However, the research house cautioned in a note: “As with previous years, the next big question is: will debate begin with enough time to ensure both houses of the Diet can pass it during the regularly scheduled session?”
Last year the process started too late in the ordinary legislative session to allow that to happen. The current parliamentary session closes on June 24. Union, however, stated that it remained “cautiously optimistic” that casino gaming could finally move forward in Japan, although “much will need to fall into place to make it a reality.”
Several major international operators have shown interest in investing in Japan if casino gambling is legalised there. Investment analysts have suggested Japan could become the second largest casino market in Asia by gross gaming revenue, surpassed only by Macau.
The American Gaming Association last week offered to provide support to Japan in legalising casino gambling. The idea of legalising casinos in Japan has been discussed for at least a decade.
