Japan
Looking to Legalize Gambling and Online Casinos
The ruling Liberal
Democratic Party in Japan has opened lines of communication
between itself and global gaming companies to discuss the
gambling situation and online casinos in Japan.
Currently, many forms of gambling are banned in Japan, there are
no land based casinos and no online casinos operated out of
Japan, although the Japanese are one of the biggest markets for
online casinos.
The Japanese government has already begun talks with some of the
world's biggest casino groups about the possibility of opening
the casino market and online casinos market after 2010.
The population of Japan stands at over 128 million and many
ordinary Japanese spend money in large quantities. The
government hope that by legalizing land based casinos and online
casinos extra revenue will be generated and their flagging
tourist industry will be boosted. The horse racing and the
lottery are legal in Japan but these businesses do not bring in
so much cash. The Japanese also bet on motorboat and motorbike
racing and these businesses are in need of revitalizing.
The closest business Japan operates to any kind of gaming
industry is Pachinko Parlours. These parlours allow gamers to
win small prizes in the form of trinkets which they can then
redeem in a building next door.
Casino operators are looking to Japan, as Japan has the highest
gross domestic product in Asia. The gross domestic product per
capita of Japan exceeds that of the United States.
Both Singapore and Macau have experienced jumps in revenue after
major casino operators opened resorts there and online casinos
were introduced. With low cost airline tickets and a booming
tourist industry this has only added to the revenue.
The casino industry believes that Japan has all the traits to
make gambling and online casinos a success. The government is
responsible, a very large population, who are constantly looking
for other forms of entertainment and the population is also
relatively wealthy.
The general consensus to legalize casinos and online casinos in
Japan is good although the legal legislative process is very
slow. Many are concerned with problems associated with gambling
and online casinos such as fraud and mafia crimes. The industry
is looking into ways to help the Japanese government overcome
these potential problems.
Although Japan has come up against any serious obstacles, many
groups are opposing casinos and especially online casinos,
arguing that online casinos will add to the problems of underage
and addictive gambling.
The government has made a statement saying that the online
casinos industry will be strictly controlled and more vulnerable
groups will be targeted.
It is hoped that with the legalization of casinos and online
casinos in Japan, this will pave the way for other countries in
Asia where gambling and casinos are banned.
China is an enormous untapped market and judging by the
legislation in that country it is likely to remain that way. The
Chinese government is taking steps to make sure that online
casinos stay illegal.
Japan
Looking to Legalize Gambling and Online Casinos
