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Japan to tackle problem gambling before opening casinos

A scheme was introduced in the Pacific country of Japan which details limiting access to casinos and other betting establishments. The scheme also mentions removing cash machines from these locations as part of a plan to root out problem gambling in the country.

Japan is about to introduce several casinos and Integrated Resorts (IRs) to the country. Japan’s municipal system is divided into prefectures, and these prefectures also have plans to introduce their own measures to counter gambling problems.

Yoshihide Suga, Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, was quoted in a government meeting last Friday saying, “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.”

Japan Today, a leading newspaper of the country, reported that the basic plan introduced by the government is for 3 years starting this year, and includes operators of slot machines, pachinko parlours, government-operated gambling venues, including horse racing and cycle tracks removing cash machines from their facilities.

The authorities also urged racetrack operators to utilise facial recognition systems to restrict the entry of addicts and problem gamblers. However, Japan Times said that these are merely measures and do not carry any fee if not implemented. Melco recently announced revamping their existing facial recognition technology.

Other measures which are in place include a proposal to put up warnings about gambling addiction on newspapers, magazines and TV commercials. The country has total 47 prefectures and 20 major cities, which will all set up treatment facilities for gambling addicts by 2020.

Japan recently enacted a law that received a lot flak from the opposition party, since the law meant allowing casinos that were to boost tourism sector. The country has a well-known gambling problem and is documented thoroughly too.

Japan has allowed Las Vegas Sands and Genting Singapore (which operates Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa), among 8 other companies at least. Keep reading GutshotMagazine.com for more such casino industry news and updates from around the world.

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