Japan Approves Plan to Open its very First Casino

Japan authorizes plan to open its first casino

14 April 2023

By Monica Miller

BBC News

Japanese authorities have actually authorized questionable strategies to build the nation’s very first gaming resort.

The will open in the western city of Osaka in 2029.

Casinos have long been unlawful in Japan. But a law was passed in 2018 offering exceptions to games, such as poker or baccarat, to create jobs and increase tourist.

Popular opinion has been divided, with some concerned about an increase in criminal activity and gambling addiction.

Besides the casino, the 5.3 million square-foot (49ha) complex will include a hotel, conference centre, shopping mall and museum.

“We hope (the gambling establishment) will end up being a tourist base that promotes Japan’s beauties to the world,” according to Prime Minster Fumio Kishida.

The job has a preliminary investment of 1.8 tn yen ($13.5 bn, ₤ 10.7 bn) with US-based gambling establishment operator MGM and Japan’s Orix Group each owning a 40% stake in the company.

The other 20% will be owned by local business such as West Japan Rail, Kansai Electric Power and Osaka-based Panasonic.

Officials expect the resort to bring in around 20 million visitors yearly and generate approximately 1tn yen in yearly economic advantages to the region, according to a Japanese news service.

The project was proposed years earlier, however it was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a corruption scandal including a ruling-party lawmaker who was implicated of accepting bribes while in charge of casino policy.

Japan is seen a promising market for betting. It is the world’s third biggest economy with a population of roughly 126 million.

It also has close distance to rich Asian gamblers, particularly from China. Macau is the only Chinese city where gambling establishment gambling is legal.

A comparable plan has been submitted by the Nagasaki prefecture to build a gambling establishment at Huis Ten Bosch, a Dutch-themed amusement park.

Related subjects

Japan

Gambling

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