Yokohama residents are not keen on casino

A local industry report claims that the vast majority of Yokohama residents, a whopping 94 per cent of them, are against the idea of having a casino resort in the city. The report quoted a survey conducted by the Yokohama City government from May 14 to June 22 regarding the city’s “mid-term, four-year plan.” As many as 830 persons responded the survey. They were asked about a range of topics on public policy, where about 20 per cent of opinions provided had to do with the hosting of a casino resort.

This must be viewed in the context of Japanese Diet passing the Integrated Resorts (IR) Implementation Bill. The IR bill allows casinos to be run in three large-scale gaming venues. The three locations for the casinos are not yet decided. Yokohoma is being touted as a potential location. That is why the results of the survey assumes significance.

A 2017 study by Japanese brokerage Nomura looked at Yokohama, along with Osaka, as ideal spots for construction of integrated resorts, due to a large flow of tourists, wherein gross gaming revenue generated by casinos was estimated at $7 billion.

The Yokohama government’s survey will be among the things discussed during the next term of the city congress, from September 10 to October 26.

Even with the IR bill’s passage, gambling operators are encountering hurdles to promoting their prospective business in Japan. Toru Mihara, government adviser on integrated resorts, told Inside Asian Gaming that “Macau-type junkets that take risks, grant credit to patrons” would not be permitted. “Casino activities are allowed only for licensed operators and cannot be entrusted to any third entity, including credit to patrons,” he said.

Source: calvinayre.com