Japan in Renewed Push to Legalise Casinos

Gambling is a very restricted activity in Japan. Apart from the lottery (Takarakuji) and public sports such as horse racing and bicycle racing, gambling is generally banned in the country. The closest thing to a casino you will find in Japan are the popular Pachinko parlors. However, these pinball-like slot machines are prohibited from awarding direct money prizes. Instead, you play with silver balls and golden tokens that can later be traded for cash at stores separated from the parlor. This way people avoid the ban on gambling for cash.

A straight legalization of casinos in Japan has been discussed for many years. In early 2000, former Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara opened up for the possibility of building casinos on the artificial island Odaiba. He also supported the idea of having floating casinos on boats in Tokyo Bay. However, the proposals did not gain enough support. Many raised concern over the risk of addiction due to the fact that many Japanese have no experience of gambling.

Since Tokyo was awarded the 2020 Summer Olympics, there have been new calls for opening casinos. Many believe that casinos will attract more foreigners to Japan as well as increase tourism spending in the country. The current government will seize any opportunity to boost the economy and big spenders from neighboring countries such as China are an important target group. Casino operators from Macao and Singapore are especially keen to join the Japanese gaming expansion. MGM Resorts International and other Las Vegas-based companies are also showing interest in operating in Japan.

The odds that Japan will open casinos in the near future are currently rated at 50-50. The two biggest cities Osaka and Tokyo are thought to be first in line, but the chances of a grand opening in time for the 2020 Summer Olympics are slim.

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