Ruling party wants 6 Japanese cities to host casino resorts

Members of Japan’s ruling coalition party are considering granting the coveted casino licenses to as many as six cities.

The Financial Times reported that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and coalition partner Komeito are set to meet this week to deliberate on new rules that will govern Japan’s first casinos, including the push for allowing six Japanese cities to host the integrated resorts.

The success of LDP’s proposal, however, lies in the hands of its coalition partner, which has a more conservative stance on the issue. Citing unnamed sources in the government and gaming industry, the Komeito partner thinks that integrated resorts in two cities will be more than enough for Japan.

Gambling analysts expect the first wave of integrated resorts to sprout in the cities of Nagasaki, Tomakomai, on the northern island of Hokkaido, and Fukuoka, as well as the larger metropolises of Osaka, Yokohama and Tokyo—if LDP becomes successful in persuading its partner.