With several surveys showing that the majority of the expected clientele of the IR casinos will be from the locals themselves, gambling addiction is truly a major concern. According to the Nikell poll, 53% of the Japanese are opposed to this law even after it was passed by the National Diet.
Conflict of Interest
The opposition even argues that the government are prioritizing the expected profit from the casinos over the people’s welfare.
As the frameworks for the building of casinos are being placed, critics indicated that such a system would provide an opportunity for customers to loan money and will encourage them to spend more.
In their opinion, such a system will encourage the desire of gamblers who have already lost large amounts of money to spend more in the hopes that they would win in the end.
Problem Gambling
But most likely, the only things that they would likely achieve are to succumb to addiction to gambling or accumulate more debts.
More Gambling Opportunities
Another point for their argument is the removal of 15,000 m2 casino floor area limit. This was changed and the restriction will be that casinos will be allowed to occupy up to 3% of the integrated resort’s floor space.
This would mean that the larger the IR, the larger the casino will be and in turn, more gamblers will be accommodated.
Once these licenses are in place and the first integrated resort opens its doors, the operator will have to cough up as much as 30% of the profit and pay it to the local government. Government is arguing that the new laws can boost tourism and bring money in the country.
The opposition is, however, stating that the number of operators will have to pay to the local government might be used for an expected backlash of legalization of gambling. They are questioning whether this cut will be enough? As the finalization of the plans for these casinos is taking place, the government should reflect, is it really worth the bet?