Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING SEPTEMBER 2018 34 COLUMNISTS This will be tracked through an ID card system, referred to as the “my number” card. However, it may be difficult to use the “my number” system as most Japanese do not currently carry this form of identification. There are several key steps that must occur before an RFP process is launched. The first of these is the reorganization of the Cabinet Office and the appointment of the Casino Control Commission. This includes the approval of the appointees to the Casino Control Commission by the Diet, which is likely to occur in its next Ordinary Session in 2019. Additionally, hearings will begin with potential candidate local governments over the next six to eight months. Once this initial phase has taken place, the Casino Control Commission and other government entities within the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will begin to issue regulations on over 300 items that still need to be addressed. The criteria for selection and the RFP process will be outlined during this time. The remainder of this process will be completed near the end of 2019. VALUING THE MARKET OPPORTUNITY One of the more important questions that operators are asking right now is what the potential gross gaming revenue would be for the overall market. This includes looking specifically at the site(s) where operators intend to launch bid(s). There will likely be at least 20 different operators that will submit bids to garner one of three potential licenses to build and operate large and regional facilities. There may be just as many host locations submitting bids, but likely less than 10 will prove to be strong sites for consideration in this first round. However, the most important questions that operators are asking deal with the measurement of area for a gaming facility. The first of these questions is the calculation of square area. Does the calculation include parking structures, outdoor plazas or other amenities? This serves as the baseline to determine the ultimate calculation, based on the 3% limitation on casino area. Just as important as the gross square area metric is the casino square area calculation and what elements count, or do not count, in that equation. Under a Singapore model that Pachinko should be included in any responsible gaming programs developed in Japan as part of IR legislation