Japan delays a gambling addiction bill for next year

Executives of the two ruling parties confirmed their decision to delay a gambling addiction bill.

The two ruling coalition parties in Japan decided to maintain their position to delay the consideration of a gambling addiction bill, called “Basic Bill on Gambling Addiction Countermeasures,” until Japan’s annual budget is passed next year.

It is estimated that the gambling addiction bill will be reconsidered after the budget’s decision, which could be between May and June of 2018. The Japan Innovation Party, based in Osaka, had asked earlier this month that the ruling parties passed the gambling addiction legislation in order to enact it before the current Diet session ends on December 9. Nevertheless, the attempt was rejected by ruling coalition Komeito party.

Komeito’s authorities said that more time should be invested in order to talk with opposition parties to come up with a proper gambling addiction bill, instead of forcing a legislative measure in a short period of time. Moreover, Komeito reiterated its stance that the gambling addiction bill must be passed before moving forward with the IR Implementation Bill.