Japan Opposition Submits Bill to Abolish IRs

Jun Azumi, the member of Japan’s Constitutional Democratic Party, has submitted a bill that would abolish the law on integrated casino resorts in the country.

The move follows accusations of bribery related to the development of integrated resorts in Japan against Zhengming Pan, director and chief executive officer of Chinese betting lottery and betting operator 500.com.

Azumi’s bill would come into effect immediately and includes a provision that any confidential information known to members of the Casino Management Committee regulatory body may not be disclosed.

However, as the governing parties are unlikely to back Azumi’s bill, its chances of passing are extremely low.

The controversy also looks to have prompted the government to delay the publication of the guidelines for selecting the host cities of the integrated resorts, which had originally been due for release this month.

Operators that have expressed interest in building an IR in Japan include MGM, which promised a “uniquely Japanese, world-class integrated resort”, as well as Caesars Entertainment, Hard Rock International, Melco Resorts and Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment.