The Japanese government is currently mulling over a bill that will permit the establishment of integrated casino resorts, which has prompted many local businesses to jump into action. It is expected that the legislation will be enacted by July 22, and Japanese companies want to make sure that they are ready for the big change.
When Will Casino Resorts Come to Japan?
Currently, it is illegal to operate casinos in Japan. The closest thing to gambling venues are pachinko parlors, where visitors can play pinball-style games and trade in their prizes for money. Japanese lawmakers have been working hard to legalize casinos in the country since 2000, and there is a chance that operators will be permitted to open gambling venues this year.
The government plans to establish three integrated casino resorts across Japan, which would aim to attract more tourists from around the world. While locals would be charged a ¥6,000 (about $50 USD) entry visitor, foreign visitors will be permitted to visit the casinos free of charge.
Firms Preparing for the Launch of Casinos
Sega Sammy Holdings is preparing for the opening of casinos in Japan by getting started abroad. The company has sent 50 employees to the new Paradise City resort in South Korea to learn more about managing casinos. Sega Sammy hopes that this will demonstrate to the government that it has the expertise to operate its own integrated casino resort in Japan in order to gain a gambling license.
Japanese gaming machine manufacturers like Konami and Bandai Namco will also have the chance to finally operate in the country where they are based. These slot machine makers produce hardware for casinos around the world, with Konami holding 10% of the market share in the United States. As casino legislation becomes more of a reality, the company hopes to capture an even greater share in Japan.
The introduction of integrated casino resorts in Japan is expected to create over 50 000 jobs, a predicted that has prompted several “casino schools” to open up across the country. The Japan Casino School started the trend in 2004, and many more companies have followed suit recently. In fact, the Japan Casino Academy has launched six locations in major cities like Tokyo and Nagoya and aims to open three more schools by the end of the year.
Once integrated casino resorts get the governmental go-ahead, it’s going to be a very busy time for Japanese businesses and gaming operators. It will be exciting to see how the shape of Japanese tourism changes with the introduction of legal gambling.
