Japan must create a comprehensive education campaign on the benefits of Integrated Resorts if the government’s push to implement casino gaming is to prove successful, according to members of the Japanese Diet.
Speaking at this week’s Japan Gaming Congress in Tokyo on Wednesday, a panel comprising seven members of Japan’s Multi party committee – which has the task of setting out the framework for IR legislation – said that one of its toughest challenges would be battling the “very strong headwinds against gaming” in Japan. In particular, the committee members claimed it was vital to separate Integrated Resorts from negative perceptions of pachinko.
“Japanese society is against IRs because most people in Japan have got a friend or a family member who has had some sort of problem with pachinko or pachislots or horse racing, but they haven’t got a friend or family member who has been to Las Vegas or Macau and seen an IR,” said Mr Kiyohiko Toyama, Vice Secretary General of the Multi party committee and member of the New Komeito Party.
“There is a need to create an education campaign in Japan so people can understand the difference.”
The committee also warned against any operator trying to bully its way into Japan, noting that IRs must take a bottom-up approach whereby local communities were willing to welcome them rather than an operator demanding inclusion.
Japan’s Multi party committee was formed in February and has until December to set out its proposed IR framework, after which the ruling Liberal Democratic Party will look to pass the IR Implementation Bill.
During the Multi party committee’s panel at the Japan Gaming Congress “personal authentication technology” was mentioned as being among the regulations being considered.
