The bill implementing regulations for Japanese casinos is likely to be submitted in the legislative session that starts this month.
The timing of the bill has been agreed on by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the Buddhist-orientated Komeito Party. The upcoming session doesn’t have any other highly contentious legislation, which gives the gaming bill a good chance of being a priority.
Other good news for potential passage is that the main opposition Democratic Party’s new leader is personally an advocate of casinos. However, the session could be delayed if Prime Minister Shinzo Abe calls for a snap election in the lower houses to take advantage of some internal political conflict amid other parties. That could delay the legislation to next spring or later.
Source: Asia Gaming Brief
