Japan gives up casino bill in current session

Japan’s 2020 Olympic casino could be over as lawmakers give up efforts to pass the Promote the Development of Integrated Resorts Bill during the current Diet session.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has decided to sacrifice the bill to make way for other bills such as Legislation for Peace and Security.

In April, the LDP took one more try to bring up the long-delayed casino bill, with the hope that legislators will find time to discuss and approve the bill before the current 150-day ordinary session of Japan’s Diet ends on June 24 but LDP failed again and there is no time frame given for when the legislation may be aired again.

In 2013, Tokyo was announced to host the 2020 Summer Olympics Games, expecting to welcome millions of tourists. Abe saw this as perfect opportunity to try to bring the casino matter to consideration, pointing out that casino would further boost foreign visitors if they were able to place their bets at luxury gambling venues that feature a wide selection of gaming options. This, in turn, would bring the long-awaited economic growth.