Japan may soon have two bills to legalise casinos in play.
In what could potentially complicate bipartisan efforts to get a casino bill passed, the small Japan Restoration Party could introduce a gaming bill of their own as early as today.
The move comes as a surprise, as the Restoration Party participated in lobbying for the cross party bill that is slated to be introduced this autumn.
That bill is being drafted by a pro-casino group of legislators that picked up a member of the ruling Liberal Democratic party as its head earlier this year.
Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, who is the co-leader of the Restoration Party, has been vocal in his support of getting a casino bill passed. Details of the bills are limited.
A large and wealthy population, along with its location, has made Japan a desirable gambling market that could surpass Singapore and Las Vegas. Companies including Las Vegas Sands and Wynn are expected to be participants in the market should a gaming bill get passed.
Source: Fantini’s Gaming Report.
