Responsible Gaming Bill could pass as early as this year

Tuesday 24th of October 2017

There is a chance that Japan’s Responsible Gaming Bill may be passed as early as the end of 2017, say analysts from Global Market Advisors.

The passage of the bill however will be determined by the length of the extraordinary session, which experts are saying could be extended through December.

“If it is extended through December as has been discussed by some experts, it may allow for debate to begin on some of the key aforementioned issues, including integrated resorts,” wrote GMA in a note released earlier this week.

However, the RG Bill process may also be held up due to a busy fall schedule and political tensions with North Korea.

If it isn’t passed this year, this will likely push the bill’s passage to spring 2018, said GMA.

Once the RG Bill is passed, the debate on the IR Implementation Bill will commence - which is expected to commence in late spring and into summer.

According to GMA, several issues of concern have been raised in regards to the IR Implementation Bill, including: gaming floor space limitations; how gaming floor space will be counted; casino entry requirements; as well as whether or not credit will be allowed to be extended.

GMA said it “encourages the Diet to leave the specifics of many of the aforementioned items to the regulatory authority.”

“Many of these decisions should not be set strictly in law in the IR Implementation Bill. The law should offer the guiding principles and framework from which the regulatory board can implement and oversee the Integrated Resorts.”

“This will allow for evidence- based research to serve as a guiding principle and allow for the regulatory authority to evolve with best practices in the future. The same principles should be applied as the Responsible Gaming Bill is debated and passed,” it wrote.

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