Japan close to pass IR bill

Japan has moved further close to the legalisation of the casino industry in the country.

The ongoing Diet session has been extended until July 22nd, as the government is making a determined push to pass the integrated resorts (IR) implementation bill.

In order to reach its goal, Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Shinzo Abe met with Natsuo Yamaguchi, head of its coalition partner Komeito, in Tokyo and committed – once again – to pass the bill this month.

There is some opposition to several topics (such as problem gambling) that lawmakers are trying to address before passing the IR implementation bill. That is why a draft legislation titled Basic Bill on Gambling Addiction Countermeasures was presented and discussed by an upper chamber committee and is expected to be enacted as early as this Friday.

Friday seems to be a major date for the potential casino legalisation as not only would the problem gambling issue be tackled but also the IR Implementation Bill is likely to be discussed at a plenary session, GGRAsia reports. Soon after, the bill would go to the Committee on Cabinet and may be finally passed by July 19th.

Source: FocusGamingNews