The creation of a framework that would regulate Japan’s gambling industry in a socially responsible manner has turned into a major priority for the country’s government.
According to recent news from the Pacific island nation, lawmakers are planning to introduce a regulatory system that would allow pachinko parlors and casinos, once these open doors, to ban customers with “serious” problem gambling behavior.
As previously reported, the Japanese Diet legalized casino gambling in a bid to support the country’s effort to bring back its economic mojo. Lawmakers will now have to design and approve another bill that would provide the necessary specifications on how the industry will be regulated. What is more, they will have to select the preferred number of integrated resorts and where these will be built.
Up to now, the slots-like pachinko gaming machines as well as betting on horse, bicycle, and powerboat races have been the only legal gambling options available to local customers.
It is believed that responsible gambling will be a big topic to be discussed while Japanese legislators are crafting the new bill. According to local media sources, gambling facilities will be urged to help people with gambling addiction cope with the problem by banning them from premises.
Under the plan, either the gambling customers themselves, or their families will be able to notify pachinko parlors, casinos, and other gambling venues that they want to have their access to said venues restricted or denied completely.
The planned regulations will likely not be welcomed by gambling operators as any such restrictions may affect their profitability in quite a negative manner.
The Japan Gaming Congress was held in Tokyo last week and apart from industry representatives, it was also attended by mayors of some of the cities most likely to host the country’s first integrated resorts. Masahiro Obana, Mayor of the City of Wakayama, said during the congress that it may be a good idea if lawmakers consider the possibility to ban Japanese citizens from casinos.
The official cited casino laws in South Korea, where nationals are only allowed to play in one casino, despite the fact that there are quite a few of them around the country.
It is believed that Japan’s casino market will initially feature two integrated resorts. According to industry experts, Mayor Obana’s proposal will impact casino investment negatively. Some of the world’s largest casino operators have expressed interest in competing for a Japanese license, all of them ready to invest billions of dollars in the newly legalized market. However, if there are certain restrictions in relation to who will be able to visit casinos and who will not, these same operators may reduce significantly the scale of their projects.
Hopes are that Japanese lawmakers will be ready with the new bill by this fall, when an extraordinary legislative session will be called.
