It announced Wednesday that entry charges could be imposed on Koreans as well as foreigners, casinos to be legalized in Japan.
The idea was brought up during a two-hour discussion of the IR [Unified Resorts] Bill by the Cabinet Committee of the House of Representatives of Japan, according to Mike Tanji, executive adviser to Tokyo-based Gaming Capital Management.
GGRAsia obtained the memo of the main topics discussed. It was compiled through the observations of several people in attendance. In it, lawmakers make the clearest indication that they are interested in involving foreign casino operators in the IR.
“The need to work with the right operators as well as the domestic industry,” the memo said. All the big Las Vegas operators, as well as Macau operators Galaxy Entertainment Group, Melco Crown Entertainment and SJM Holdings, have expressed interest in the Japanese market. Some have said they want to set up subsidiaries in Japan and work with local partners.
Many pachinko machinery makers and pachinko hall operators also said they would like to participate as equity partners.
At Wednesday’s meeting, lawmakers also suggested it was still theoretically possible for casinos to open in time for Tokyo’s 2020 Summer Olympics.
However, a discussion note obtained by GGR Asia stated that “online casino games are not expected to be included in the IR Bill.”
The lawmakers also said the so-called “Singapore model” for casino regulation would be preferred. They added that the capital investment needed for local casino resorts is likely much lower than that needed for major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka. Several foreign casino operators have cited investments of up to $10 billion for each metropolitan resort.
However, imposing entry taxes on foreigners as well as Koreans at Japanese casino resorts would be a significant departure from Singapore’s approach to casino regulation. Singapore charges Singaporean citizens and permanent residents a legal entry tax of S$100 ($80) for 24 hours of entry or S$2,000 (pictured) for one year of entry, but we are satisfied with allowing foreigners free entry.
The Singaporean government explained the tax imposition of its citizens as a social safety measure to prevent poor people from gambling. However, there is now a debate in the Lion City about the effectiveness of existing admission fees.
Singapore legalized casino resorts in 2005 after banning casino gambling dating back to the British colonial era in the 1920s. The aim of the transition was to increase employment, tourism spending and the city-state’s gross domestic product. 카지노사이트
However, Singapore has shown willingness to introduce gradual changes to its gaming rules and responsible gambling rules after issuing casino licenses to protect consumers and especially its citizens. That includes strengthening Article 54 of the Casino Control Act.