Observers believe that Japan will vote on legalising casinos this week.
The parliament, the Diet, will reassemble on Wednesday and it is hoped that a vote will be forced through. The Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, and his Liberal Democratic Party are ready to proceed as the Komeito Party, the main factor in opposition to gambling, has softened its stance.
Once the legislation is approved, a bill will follow to dictate the number of casinos, their location and ownership. After that there will follow a 12-month period during which the bill can be enacted and brought into law.
Speculation is that the two or three big casino resorts which have been talked about in the past may be extended to permit regional locations, according to the Fantini Gaming Report.
