GAMBLING INSIDER

Japan’s two ruling coalition parties have announced that they have decided to maintain their stance on postponing the consideration of a gambling addiction bill till next year.

The bill otherwise known as, the “Basic Bill on Gambling Addiction Countermeasures” will be evaluated when Japan’s annual budget is passed next year, which could be between May and June of 2018.

Earlier this month, the Japan Innovation Party requested that the ruling parties pass the bill in order to enact it before the current Diet session ends on the 9 December. However, the appeal was rejected by the ruling coalition Komeito party.

The Komeito party explained that it needed more time to discuss with opposition parties in order to create a thoroughly consider addiction bill, instead of rushing it in a short period of time.

The party also reaffirmed that it would not move forward with the Integrated Resorts Implementation Bill until the gambling addiction bill is passed.

As this news breaks, a Japanese resort developer has announced its interest in entering the race for one of the two casino licences the government is expected to grant as a result of last year’s legalisation of casino gambling.

Kamori Kanko, a private tourism company, announced a partnership deal with developer Niseko Alpine Developments for the redevelopment and expansion of the Hokkaido-based Rusutsu Resort.

According to analysts, the Japanese casino market could be worth between $5bn and $20bn, when and if the two casino resorts become fully operational. If the government approves the IR Implementation Bill next year, it is believed that the potential casino complexes will not open doors before 2023.