Casino’s & Integrated Resorts in Japan – but is Japan ready to accept them?

Jason BallByJason Ball

A potential US$30B market; the holy grail of the Industry

This article summarizes the CNN Money article: Casinos’ holy grail: Japan opens door to potential $30 billion industry

  • Japanese parliament passed a new law early December 2016
  • “The world’s leading operators regard Japan as a holy grail given the potential market size” ~ analysts at brokerage firm CLSA
  • Japan appear to be rolling the dice on casinos to help boost their struggling economy
  • Famous US players Las Vegas Sands and MGM Resorts appear to be strong contenders but it’s early days and unclear if Japanese firms may get preference
  • Public support appears to be low with people quoted as concerned about what measures to deal with gambling addiction will be put in place and an NHK poll finding only 12% support and 44% against the Casino bill
  • The Japanese government are touting boosting the economy not least with tourism
  • More legislation is required for deciding things like; the licensing process, tax rates and market entrance fees
  • Should things progress positively it still appears estimates of when Casino’s begin appearing in Japan are “not before 2024”

The January 2017 Business In Japan monthly BIJxBIS Networking Event featured a ‘mystery speaker’ from inside the Industry, sharing some more information about the status of the bill and the surrounding issues, with the chance to talk to him in a Q&A afterwards.

Read the full CNN article Casinos’ holy grail: Japan opens door to potential $30 billion industry

These points were put together by Jason Ball, a “Fixer” in Tokyo