‘Expert’ panel leaves hard casino questions to Japan’s legislators

Japan’s skittishness toward the launch of its casino market was on full display in the vague recommendations of a panel of experts.

On Monday, the government-appointed panel tasked with recommending rules for governing Japan’s proposed integrated resort industry submitted their draft report to legislators. The government will use the recommendations to craft the so-called Integrated Resorts Implementation bill that the Diet will consider in its extraordinary session this autumn.

Many of the recommendations have been widely telegraphed in advance, such as using Japan’s ‘My Number’ identification card system to restrict the number of visits Japanese citizens can make to casino gaming floors. However, the panel declined to specify how many visits will be allowed in any one-week or one-month period, leaving that decision up to legislators.

Similarly, while the panel recommended a Singapore-style casino entry levy on local residents, the amount of that levy will be up to legislators. International tourists won’t be subject to the levy, reflecting the government’s hope that its new resorts will drive tourism.