Japan finalises its casino policy

Prospective casino resort developers in Japan now know the rules of the game and cities and prefectures can begin the bidding process.

Japan has finalised a basic casino policy, including standards for the selection of up to three casino developers, Inside Asian Gaming reported. The policy aims to attract 60 million tourists a year by 2030 to spark a tourist boom.

The government has set protocols for meeting with local governments and operators that will host a casino as well as measures for preventing the spread of disease. The national government will now accept casino plans from local governments from October of next year to April 2022.

Included in the policy is a lack of a tax on foreigners’ winnings. Osaka, Yokohama, Wakayama and Nagasaki are all vying for a licence. Casinos are expected to open in the late 2020s.

Melco Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting Singapore and Wynn Resorts are interested in Yokohama. MGM Resorts has interest in Osaka. Suncity and Clairvest are participating in the Wakayama casino bid while Nagasaki received interest from Casinos Austria, Current Corp and Oshidori International.

Source: Fantini’s Gaming Report