Feb 20 (newsonjapan.com) - It was in December 2016 that casino gambling was first legalised throughout Japan, finally putting an end to a 15-year hiatus during which politicians basically argued with each other.
Back when the ban was lifted, Fortune reported that as few as three casinos in Japan would generate approximately $10 billion a year, about 0.2% of the country's gross domestic product. That said, casinos won't be appearing in Japan until 2022 at the earliest as legislation still needs to go through and tax rates are yet to be set. This means that Japanese citizens are having to wait patiently, but it's pretty clear that once casinos do start popping up around the country they're sure to visit in their masses.
Just look at how popular the game of pachinko is. Often referred to as Japanese slots, pachinko is actually a vertical pinball-esque game that requires players to navigate a ball through a maze -- but we're pretty sure you know that considering how popular this game really is in the Japanese archipelago. Pachinko parlours can be found in almost every city and town, whether you're in Hokkaido, Okinawa or somewhere in between.
Of course, pachinko isn't the only game that the Japanese love to gamble on. There's also the lottery, as well as sports betting, which can involve boats, horses, bicycles and motorbikes amongst other things. Clearly, there is a huge market that just needs to be tapped into, and surely it will be once casinos are introduced to the islands. This is especially true if those casino operators take note of games that are already played elsewhere in the world, that would do extremely well in Japan.
Take for example Keno. This game is very popular all around the world from Australia to Canada, where it gains so much attention that there are even guides on where to play keno for free available online. Chances are Japanese players would love it as it is a combination of the lottery and bingo, in that players place wagers by choosing numbers ranging from one to eighty. Once every player has chosen, twenty numbers are selected at random and if your numbers show up you win -- it's as easy as that.
As for other games, there are real money casinos both around the world and online packed full of titles and genres, so there's almost a certainty that a few will catch on. You never know, the Japanese market might start calling for more card games such as western blackjack or poker, as we know there's already a huge market for number puzzles in the country.
Ultimately, we can't see casinos flopping once they arrive in Japan, there's just too much to support the idea that the Japanese will love them. That said, what is your opinion? Do you think casinos will be successful in Japan?
