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3 areas in Japan to bid to host casinos; many others reluctant: survey

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"As part of efforts to tackle addiction, people living in Japan will be charged a 6,000 yen entrance fee for casinos and face limits on the number of visits, while foreign visitors will be able to enter free of charge."

Wow, that's pretty steep don't you think? I honestly think that paying 6000 yen really won't curb someone's gambling addiction if they're willing to pay that much just to gamble - it might even encourage them to win that 6000 yen back just to satisfy their urge to gamble.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan cited concerns over possible deterioration of public safety and an increase of people saddled with gambling debts

Deterioration of public safety? An increase in people saddled with gambling debts? But, a pachinko parlor on every second corner is totally acceptable, right?

This whole casino scenario is a bloody shambles! Making people pay ¥6,000 and limiting their visits will promote problem gambling because people will be determined to win back their entry fee and make a profit before their limit of visits expires. Making them exclusively free for tourists will result in them being empty most of the week. People will not come to Japan to Gamble.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

My prefecture on Shikoku would do well applying for a casino resort.

The lack of jobs is causing most young adults to leave and thus has caused severe economic decline and a very warped demographic pyramid.

They've come up with a bunch of silly characters for every locale and product which doesn't really do anything.

They've promoted local history and the beautiful scenery and environment here, which is fine, but unfortunately it's not enough.

Casinos have been a godsend for many Indian reservations in the US, and for many, the resorts have revived the areas and have brought in tons of money.

Shikoku should get on board while they can before we all disappear.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

The Japanese have gotten tourist crazy. The Koreans and Chinese can build Japanese themed casinos that will attract locals. Japan won't become an international gambling destination.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

I agree with the above posters that 6,000 yen entry for Japanese is too steep.

There's already gambling here with pachinko, dog and horse races, lotto, and mahjong.

Let those that want to enjoy playing some cards, dice or slots in style do so without putting them in the red to begin with.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Pachinko isn't gambling. They are playing for points to buy prizes.

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They then exchange those prizes for the actual monetary value at another location.

Sidenote. ¥6,000 will not tackle addiction. How many people have been playing the lottery for years. Remember, a casino has 10x better odds of winning than the lotto has.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Pachinko isn't gambling. They are playing for points to buy prizes....

They then exchange those prizes for the actual monetary value at another location.

Pachinko is gambling whilst propping up the prize makers!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Yes, silly, but no different than almost all other Asian countries where casinos are run.  Either locals pay up (e.g. SGD 100 in Singapore) or are totally banned. 

Casinos will no affect public order adversely and locals have plenty of things to gamble on as other posters have written.

I predict that there will be future scandals around this whole process. 

Three are already scandals involving Japanese "businessmen" who are working with casinos in Macau and the Philippines.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

People will not come to Japan to Gamble.

That may be true. However, foreign tourist will have another entertainment for them while staying in Japan. Especially at night, so there will be tourist going but they will not spend big money gambling.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@Serrano

Lol. If this were America, it would be gambling. According to Japanese laws, its not gambling. The Japanese penal code describes them as Entertainment.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I suggest something like a Japanese Las Vegas. A new city where anything goes away from TOKYO! In my mind, Kyushu would be a good location.

A city of lust and decadence? I like it!

Let's be realistic though, you need more than a smallish, family -friendly casino to attract Macau's high-rollers.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I don't really see what's so different between the smoky-floral stench-spewing pachinkos and casinos...in the end they do the same damage...

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Las Vegas is a horrible example. It is a crime ridden dump. There are many shows with popular entertainers , buffets and pool clubs. The shows probably attract more people than the gambling. More than half of the states in America have gambling. There really isn't any reason to go to Las Vegas other than the shows. The convention center there is a big draw as are drugs.

The Japanese are making a mistake turning to casinos. If you take Osaka as an example Namba is the entertainment area with comedians and kabuki. How can a casino compete with that? The comedy shows wont move and don't want any competition. Not many are going to pay for nightly ABK or Arashi shows.

Who is going to pay 6,000 yen to go somewhere to lose their money. The casino prostitutes wont be allowed because they will take business away from the already established areas.

The casinos cant really survive very well on their own. Sports betting in Japan isn't going to help sports very much. how many times can someone bet on the Tigers vs the Giants? They have about 6 games a season.

The casinos will just be another gigantic project that does well during the first year and then suffers repeated declines. Look at USJ, it just started making money because of tourists. once Koreans and Chinese lose interest in Japan it will return to losing money every year.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Wakayama is already a tourist trap, I can't imagine how the IR is going to make it any more worth going to...Sigh, I guess it's time to find an alternative to Shirahama beach.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I can't imagine a casino being a success in a place that isn't already a tourist destination. Who in their right mind would want to go to say, Ibaraki, in order to gamble? This has bubble-era failed theme park levels of risk written all over it. Think hard, Japanese municipalities. Think very hard.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

ROFL....So, it's the weekend and 12,000 Yen will get a couple a very good meal (including drinks) at a good restaurant. Wow...it will be such a difficult choice whether to hit a Casino or not.

Free entry....we'd probably consider it for fun.

Such a weird strategy....seems destined to fail, but then again...host/hostess clubs are a thing here....

2 ( +2 / -0 )

A little suspicious if it's in Kansai, Yamaguchi-gumi is based in Kobe, so the yakuza will start their wrong deeds and open black casinos nearby..

1 ( +1 / -0 )

“The greatest temptations are not those that solicit our consent to obvious sin, but those that offer us great evils masking as the greatest goods.” 

― Thomas Merton, No Man Is an Island

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Bad, bad idea.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Locals get fees, Foreigners get free.

On their soil. Doesn't make sense.

In UK, it's better to play lottery than going casinos or sports bettings.

Simply spend £8 a week (£4 on Wednesday, £4 on Saturday), Total £32 a month, that's like £1 a day for charity plus Hope.

One Day, One Day....I will....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Casinos will obviously lead to an increase in gambling addiction. 

McDonalds leads to overeating but nobody protests them

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I suggest something like a Japanese Las Vegas. A new city where anything goes away from TOKYO! In my mind, Kyushu would be a good location.

Why? Kyushu is not a dumping ground for bad ideas from people who never leave Tokyo. What makes you think anyone would be eager to turn their city into such a dump? Why not do it in Tokyo? It's pretty much there already.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I've been visiting Japan for at least the last five year. The last thing I would want to do is gamble.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Tokyo and Yokohama, which are seen as attractive areas for hosting casinos by resort operators, said they are weighing up the pros and cons, while Hokkaido, a popular tourist destination, said the city of Tomakomai could be a leading candidate site.

Not a fan of casinos, but at least Tomakomai is a port that could handle cruise gambling business, and there's not much you could do to that city to make it any less attractive.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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