Japan’s Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso (pictured) has said he is in favor of allowing casinos to operate in the country with the aim of boosting tourism and boosting economic growth, Japan’s Kyodo News reported.
But Aso stressed the importance of developing legislation to prevent casino openings from causing law-and-order problems and increasing gambling addiction, Kyodo reported.
A group of lawmakers supporting the IR bill has previously said casinos should be open only to locals but only to residents who meet certain criteria. A bipartisan panel of Japanese lawmakers heard on Thursday that any attempt to turn a Japanese casino resort into one exclusively for foreigners was “constitutional”.
A government-backed study in August found 4.8% of Japan’s adult population, or about 5.36 million people, were experiencing gambling problems.
Aso, however, also highlighted the potential multiplier effect of casino resorts on the Japanese economy. Aso told a news conference that “it is true that casinos helped boost tourism and invite foreigners” in other areas, including Macau and Singapore. Aso also serves as finance minister.
The Integrated Resorts (IR) bill, the first law to legalize casino games in Japan, could be passed by the extraordinary National Assembly this fall. Parliament’s fall session is due Nov. 30.
The legalization of casinos in Japan will be a two-legislation process. After a bill to legalize casino resorts at a conceptual level is passed, the second bill details details, including how casino resorts are managed and regulated.
The existing casino industry expects to hold constructive talks with the Japanese authorities prior to the second bill. 안전한 카지노사이트
According to the results of an online survey released in July by Hakuhodo Inc, a Japanese advertising and public relations agency, Tokyo’s coastal Odaiba district was the most popular place for casino resorts in Japan. Hakuhodo predicted that Tokyo’s casino resort would attract about 24 million domestic visitors annually, making sales of 2.9 trillion yen ($27.1 billion), excluding shopping expenses.