Japan's gambling industry is primarily centered around lotteries, which are widely distributed nationwide. Although casinos have been prohibited in Japan for a long time, in recent years, some regions have started to allow the construction of integrated resorts, which include legal casinos. The gove
The battle for licenses at Japan's Integrated Resorts (IR) is set to reignite after years of dormancy. The Japan Tourism Agency has confirmed that a six-month application window will open from May to November 2027 for the remaining two IR licenses. Aichi Prefecture Governor Hideaki Omura is expected
Japan's northernmost Hokkaido Prefecture has sparked new discussions about the casino resort (IR) development policy, with Governor Naomichi Suzuki formally requesting national authorities to review the results of the first round of IR applications at a media conference on January 16. The first roun
Facing an aging rate as high as 32.7%, Hokkaido, Japan, is trying an unprecedented social experiment. The local government recently launched the "Vibrant Community" pilot program, introducing strictly regulated small-scale gambling facilities into community nursing centers, not to encourage gambling
In the construction of integrated resorts in Japan, the government has introduced a unique ticket tax system, simply put, each gambler must pay an entrance fee of 2,000 yen (approximately 118 yuan). This design is not only to limit entry, but more importantly, it tries to find a balance between stim
The Japanese government has released a draft cabinet order, clarifying the schedule for the next round of applications for Integrated Resorts (IR) that include casinos, aimed at restarting the competition for IR projects. Previously, only the Osaka MGM project was approved in the first round, and th
International rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) recently took action, downgrading the credit rating of Japan's Universal Entertainment Corp. from "B" to "B-". This adjustment directly points to the continued weakness of its casino business in the Philippines, suggesting that even a layout in a p
Japan's new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, is seen as a key figure who may accelerate the development of the country's Integrated Resorts (IR), due to her alliance with the IR-supportive Ishin Party and her close relationship with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Takaichi, a long-time ally and pro
South Korean business and tourism experts recently held a conference to discuss how to learn from Japan's Integrated Resort (IR) model to enhance the competitiveness of their own casino industry. The MGM Resort in Osaka, Japan, serves as a typical case, demonstrating how IR can promote tourism devel
Japan is discussing the establishment of a regulated digital framework for online casinos. With high disposable income, advanced digital literacy, and nearly universal smartphone usage, the country has the potential to develop the iGaming market. Industry forecasts suggest that if a controlled onlin
Osaka Prefecture in Japan plans to develop new technology and leisure facilities on Yumeshima Island after the successful hosting of the 2025 World Expo, aiming to create a global tourism hub, with the core project being the MGM Osaka Integrated Resort. This resort is a joint venture between MGM Res
The Hokkaido government in Japan has recently revisited the possibility of establishing a casino resort, marking the first official move since the plan was halted six years ago. According to The Japan Times, in August, the Hokkaido government conducted a survey on the development intentions of Integ
The Japanese government is actively promoting the development of gambling risk behavior detection tools, aimed at identifying players facing potential harm and providing timely protection. According to the royal decree issued on March 14, gambling operators must establish corresponding mechanisms an
With the revised version of the "Basic Law on Countermeasures against Gambling Addiction" set to be officially implemented on September 25, the Japanese government is intensifying its crackdown on offshore online casinos targeting domestic users. The National Police Agency (NPA) has announced a new
