Japan’s long-delayed legislation to permit casinos is unlikely to be passed until the second half of 2016 at the earliest.
This makes it impossible for the first intergrated resorts to open in time for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, according to experts. If it does happen next year, parliament is unlikely to discuss the legislation until its extraordinary session, which runs from September to December.
Given that timetable, it is unlikely that any site will be chosen for an IR zone before 2019. There are four locations that are the current front runners for potential casino-resort sites. Yokohama, near Tokyo, is seen as the most promising, with the city of Osaka also a strong contender.
Hokkaido, which is popular with western tourists and known for its ski resorts is another, while there is a possibility that Nagasaki may ask to add a casino to its Huis Ten Bosch resort, a Netherlands-themed attraction in Sasebo.
