Morgan Stanley: Japan casino bill unlikely to pass this year

Almost everyone has caught the optimism bug on the passage of Japan casino bill. All except international brokerage firm Morgan Stanley.

The investment bank said in its Monday’s note that it doesn’t see the Japanese lawmakers passing a bill that will legalize casino in the East Asian nation despite gaining support from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

After years of being sidelined, a bill to introduce integrated resorts (IRs), with hotels, casinos, malls and other entertainment facilities is being deliberated by legislators in the parliament’s lower house,  which is due to run until November 30.

Many believe that there is a likelihood that the controversial bill will pass this year after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reshuffled the LDP in August and appointed three pro-casino officials were promoted to top spots.