Japanese Integration Resort Push Continues as Country Forges Ahead with Plans

A bill legalizing the upcoming integrated resorts in the country has been passed with the backing of nearly all Members of Parliament, albeit some opposition was still voiced.  Regardless, integration resorts are going to happen in Japan, although the timeline has been moved from 2024 to a yet unspecified year. However, bidders are hopeful that they can make things work.  One way to do that is to sort through the local selection processes announced by prefectures which will vie to secure the integrated resort project in a bid to boost their local economies. Despite the fairly high demands placed by lawmakers, there has been no shortage of applicants.  Any investor who wishes to build an integrated resort in Japan, though, would have to prepare at least $12 billion to cover the costs that need to be contributed towards the project's realization.  However, there are other factors to consider as well. For example, Japan is not interested in just attracting someone to develop the project. Prefectures expect multiple criteria to be met, including:

• Investment in responsible gambling
• Renewing infrastructure in the prefecture
• Other cash payments to help communities

There are various criteria that companies must meet to even be considered in the bidding process, which is still ongoing in many prefectures and is trying to single out the best possible candidate for the job.  Once this process is completed, each prefecture is going to submit a request to the central government which will weigh the ups and downs of each proposal and whether it can be leveraged successfully.

Why an Integrated Resort?

Japan is about to experience a huge surge in casino interest. While online casinos are somewhat of a grey area, there will be numerous benefits to players who arrive at integrated resorts (IR) in the country.  At first, there will be only one property built, with two more to follow later on. The expected bonuses and perks for casino players have not been established yet, but they will surely help influence players' games for the better and allow everyone to get an honest start in Japanese gaming.

Now, it's possible that the IR will be targeting foreigners exclusively, and locals may not be allowed to gamble, which is still the subject of ongoing legislation debate. With integrated resorts in the country, it may be best to allow players to attend casinos in person.  If not, they still have fantastic alternatives, though, such as online casinos. In fact, online casinos are extremely popular with Japanese crowds.

Huge Economic Benefits for Japan

Because of how Japan plans on launching the Integrated Resorts (IR) projects, the country is tipped to make a huge economic windfall from it.  First, the IR projects themselves will pour enormous money into developing local infrastructures, setting up responsible gambling practices, and more.  Secondly, the country will allow players from abroad to travel freely and participate in gaming. This poses a direct threat to Macau and South Korea. Not only that, but Japan will not be so scrupulous about your winnings.

So, if a foreigner comes to play, they do not have to pay tax on their winnings in the country – unless they have residency status, naturally, which is pretty standard practice, as a matter of fact.  This aside, Japan will shape up as a much friendlier place than Macau where the Chinese government is exerting strict and tight control. Gamblers from afar will be excited to know that they won't have to go through scrupulous screening when it comes to their winnings.  Naturally, Japan will set very high standards at the IR properties, and they will be enforced rigorously. However, there are some aspects of the planned way of handling the IR that will definitely benefit players and that is an undeniable fact.  This will naturally have a huge impact on how Japan proceeds with taxing casino resorts. This relative freedom is bound to attract high rollers who undergo a lot of scrutiny in Macau, for example, and is expected to boost economic activity. To know how much Japan stands to make from the IRs, we will have to see the first project realized.

Then, the country will launch two more, leading to a massive influx of tourists worldwide and more importantly – high rollers with a huge purchasing power.