Problem gambling was a concern voiced almost immediately after the Japanese Diet (the country’s government) voted late last year in favor of a bill that legalized casino gambling. A new legislative piece centered around the creation of an effective problem gambling regulatory framework was submitted earlier this month by the Nippon Ishin no Kai opposition party, as reported by local news outlet The Japan Times.
Under the bill, comprehensive policies will be introduced to fight social ills related to the expected increase of gambling activities in the country. As mentioned above, Japanese lawmakers legalized casino gambling and the construction of up to two integrated casino resorts. A separate bill that would set the regulatory framework, under which said resorts will be managed, is likely to be voted on by the end of the year. That particular legislation will also determine the locations of the casino properties.
The Nippon Ishin bill calls for the government to create a uniform problem gambling prevention and treatment program that will be revised every five years, so as for problems related to excessive gambling to be addressed in the most adequate manner.
Municipalities that will host the casino resorts will also be required to contribute to the effort for combating gambling-related issues. They will, too, have to upgrade their policies every five years.
The legislative piece also proposes the establishment of a Gambling Awareness Week that will be held every summer. Numerous advertising activities will be taking place throughout said week to inform people about the risks and dangers casino gambling may hide. The bill will also require that medical professionals are hired in place to assist casino customers with gambling addiction symptoms.
Here it is important to note that the proposed legislation does not oppose casino gambling and only wants to make sure that measures are introduced for the protection of casino patrons.
As noted by local media, Nippon Ishin is an “Osaka-centric” political group. The party has pointed out that it will be happy to see Osaka become host to one of the two casino resorts. It is indeed believed that the city will be in the running for home to one of the integrated resort properties. It is also important to note that it is one of the bidders for hosting the World Expo 2025.
Nippon Ishin leaders have expressed hopes that the second integrated resorts bill will be signed into law by the end of 2017. If Osaka is selected as a host to one of the multi-billion, multi-purpose complexes, it will do its best to launch it by 2023. Thus, the resort will be expected to attract additional international tourists during the World Expo 2025.
During the 14th CLSA Japan Forum, which took place last week, four major international gambling operators, those being Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Hard Rock International, and Melco Crown, voiced interest in entering the newly legalized Japanese casino market. Officials for the four companies revealed that they are all ready to invest billions of dollars in the construction of integrated resorts in the country, which is expected to turn into one of the most profitable gambling destinations once first casinos open doors.
