Japanese authorities have taken their final decision for limiting the access of the citizens to the casinos that are going to be established. Once the new casinos open doors for players, local people won’t be allowed to enter and play their favourite games. Only foreigners will be given the chance to enjoy the gripping atmosphere and the thrill of becoming a winner.
The reason that has led to that decision was a law in the Japanese constitution that prohibits the building of casinos on the territory of the country. The Government authorities are currently reviewing that clause and they expressed their hopes that the revised bill will pass during the first session, which ends on November 30th. In case everything goes smooth, another bill will be proposed and its goal will be figuring out even the smallest details and setbacks in the Japanese gambling rules and regulations and the issue of licences.
According to the initial plan, the first casino, built on Japanese soil, is supposed to be opened in 2020, which, by the way, coincides with the Olympic Games, which will take place in Tokyo.
A few days ago, the Integrated Group members have agreed to forbid Japanese residents to enter casinos. However, the restriction raises several questions and the most important of them is how long Japanese people will be prohibited from entering the newly built casinos. Nobody can give a precise answer but the law, concerning that delicate matter, will, by all means, be reconsidered in the foreseeable future.
Yomiuri Shimbun said that these measures have been taken because the authorities were not sure if the gambling activities will have a positive or a negative impact on the citizens. That was the main concern of the members of the Liberal Democrats who were doubtful if all Japanese people will have a positive attitude towards the development of the gambling industry.
According to Koichi Hagiuda, the negative social aspect of the gambling popularization in Japan can be limited by making the residents pay a tax for entering a casino – just like the Singaporeans do – but his statements was not supported by the majority of the members of the House of Representatives.
A representative of Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan, said that if the Japanese residents are not allowed to visit casinos, the venues might become unprofitable. It is a well known fact that several gaming giants wanted to make an investment in establishing a casino in Japan but the aide of the Prime Minister hurried up to warn them against starting such a huge project that can turn out to be a bad investment.
According to a report, issued by the Union Gaming Research, the restriction that forbids Japanese residents enter casinos, will be “a non-starter” but it’s goal would be attracting investors and popular gaming operators.
