Japan’s trying to fight gambling addiction ahead of casinos’ expected arrival
- Government hopes to see casinos established as part of ‘integrated resorts’ comprising hotels, conference facilities and shopping areas by the mid-2020s
Japan’s cabinet on Friday approved a plan to limit customers’ access to betting establishments and remove cash machines from the facilities, as the government attempts to curtail problem gambling before the opening of a number of casinos.
Prefectures nationwide will formulate their own steps based on the government’s plan, with authorities required to take action under the basic law on measures against addiction enacted in October.
“We will create a healthy society by thoroughly implementing measures based on the basic plan in order to prevent people from finding themselves in difficult situations,” said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga during a government meeting.
Japan hopes to see casinos established in up to three locations as part of “integrated resorts” comprising hotels, conference facilities and shopping areas by the mid-2020s, as it seeks to attract foreign tourists and boost regional economies.
Under the basic plan covering three years from fiscal 2019, operators of slot machine and pachinko parlours and government-operated gambling venues, including horse racing and keirin racing tracks, have been asked to remove cash machines from their facilities.