In Japan, proposed legislation that would legalize casino gambling could reportedly face a vote before the full House of Councillors as soon as tomorrow after earlier today being ratified by the body’s influential Committee on Cabinet.
According to a report from GGRAsia, the Integrated Resort Implementation Bill is set to license up to three integrated casino resorts for the Asian nation of over 126 million people and was referred to the upper house of Japan’s bicameral National Diet last month following its ratification by the lower House of Representatives.
GGRAsia reported that Wednesday’s endorsement of the casino-legalization measure came despite warnings that anti-gambling opposition politicians in the House of Councillors may be planning to initiate a no-confidence motion in order to take final consideration of the legislation beyond the body’s current session, which is due to expire on Sunday. However, it detailed that such a move is likely to prove fruitless as the House of Councillors is currently controlled by members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito coalition of pro-casino Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Alongside capping the number of licensed integrated casino resorts for Japan at three, the Integrated Resort Implementation Bill is due to moreover reportedly establish an initial 30% tax rate on gross gaming revenues as well as an around $47 entry fee for all Japanese citizens and long-term residents.
If the House of Councillors passes the Integrated Resort Implementation Bill later this week, GGRAsia reported that the government could award its first integrated casino resort license as soon as 2020 with this initial venue welcoming players from 2025.