Slot machines are likely to grab the largest share in the newly legalized and to-be-opened Japanese casino market, according to a recent report by consulting group Global Market Advisors.
The firm has pointed out that Japanese players have long been exposed to machine gaming and traditional slot machines will probably present big allure to them, once they become available.
Japan is a homeland to popular gaming machine manufacturers like Konami, Aruze Gaming, and Sega Sammy, among many others. In addition to this, pachislot, pachinko, and similar types of gaming machines have been a big hit among players from the Pacific Ocean island nation for quite some time now.
In other words, the introduction of slot machines in Japan could be seen as an expansion of an already popular gaming sector, with that expansion involving casino gambling, as well.
If slot machine gaming becomes the dominant vertical in Japan’s casino market, this will mean that the country will take a slightly different course in its casino gambling development from existing markets in the Asia-Pacific region. Table games have established themselves as the most widely preferred offering among casino patrons in Macau and Singapore, the two largest gambling hubs in the area.
Baccarat has long been the highest grossing game at Macau casinos. Roulette and blackjack have also enjoyed great popularity among players, particularly among high rollers. A similar trend has been explored at Singapore’s two integrated casino resorts since those swung their doors open in the early 2010s.
Although casino gambling is now legal in Japan, local players and everyone interested in the country’s market will have to wait for a little longer before both slot machines and table games become available.
After the Japanese government approved what was named an Integrated Resorts Promotion Bill last December, it will now have to craft a separate legislative piece – an Implementation Bill – in order for a regulatory framework to be set. The new piece of legislation will not only present the principles and regulations, under which Japan’s casino market will be regulated and monitored for any questionable activity, but will also determine where casino gambling will be provided.
The Implementation Bill’s aim will be to point the preferred locations for up to two integrated resorts. Major international casino operators, including Hard Rock International, MGM Resorts International, and Las Vegas Sands, have already put the beginning of what is expected to be a fierce contention for a license in the Japanese market.
Even prior to being legalized, Japan’s market was proclaimed one with great profitability potential, hence the great interest from major industry players. According to preliminary estimates, two integrated resorts could generate annual revenue of up to $10 billion during their first years of operation. However, it is believed that Japan will not see first casinos open before 2022.
