Pennsylvania and Nevada Gaming Authorities Aid Japan in Implementing Casino Regulations
Gaming authorities in Pennsylvania and Nevada recently met with a group from Japan who are responsible for licensing and managing the countries future casinos.
The Japanese government's legislature, the National Diet, passed a law in 2018 called the "Integrated Resort Development Act" at the request of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The aim was to diversify Japan's economy through tourism.
Abe, who was killed last year, led the Liberal Democratic Party. After his death, his party members in the Diet supported his casino proposal. This law allows up to 3 integrated casino resorts in Japan.
Since then, only one development has been given the green light. MGM Resorts and Japanese financial group Orix Corporation are working together on a large-scale project called MGM Osaka.
MGM Osaka isn't expected to open until at least 2030, as it's being constructed on reclaimed land in Osaka Bay. This project includes about 49 million square feet of indoor space and over 100 acres.
One other prefecture is still considering a casino. Nagasaki and Casinos Austria have proposed building a casino at the Huis Ten Bosch theme park in Sasebo, but funding concerns have delayed licensing approval.
Understanding Habits
Japan's Casino Regulatory Commission is in charge of approving and then overseeing these 3 casinos. As casino gaming is new to Japan, the commission is figuring things out as they go.
The 5-person commission, led by Michio Kitamura, has turned to the US for guidance about best practices. The commission has the support of over 170 staff members.
The Japanese delegation visited the US last month, meeting first with Nevada's Gaming Control Board. This week, they were in Harrisburg to learn from Pennsylvania's Gaming Control Board.
PGCB Executive Director Kevin O'Toole said the delegation was especially fascinated by how the state conducts background checks on businesses, top executives, and shareholders.
"They are very dedicated and focused on learning," O'Toole told. "They want to understand the best practices for conducting background investigations."
The Japanese officials are certainly receiving useful advice about best practices. Nevada and Pennsylvania are respectively the richest gaming states in the US with gambling revenues at over $14.8 billion and $5.21 billion in 2022.
Operational Management
O'Toole shared that most of the meetings were about suitability and background screenings. However, the Japanese officials also inquired about how Pennsylvania oversees day-to-day casino operations.
Pennsylvania boasts one of the most advanced gaming sectors in the US and world, with 18 physical casinos, regulated online gaming, retail and internet sports betting, video gaming terminals at truck stops, and daily fantasy sports.
O'Toole added that the discussions covered casino operations and what regulations and safeguards Japan might implement when their casinos open.
O'Toole concluded by stating that the PGCB was happy to share its knowledge about casino management with a new gaming jurisdiction. He explained that Pennsylvania regulators received similar help from older US states like Nevada and New Jersey over 17 years ago.
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