Japan rolls dice on Singapore-style IRs

Students practising at the Japan Casino School (above) in Tokyo. Japan, which has allowed three integrated resorts (IRs) to be built, hopes to mitigate the risks of problem gambling while reaping the benefits of tourism spending and job creation. But
Students practising at the Japan Casino School (above) in Tokyo. Japan, which has allowed three integrated resorts (IRs) to be built, hopes to mitigate the risks of problem gambling while reaping the benefits of tourism spending and job creation. But passing of IR-related laws has been acrimonious due to the notoriety of the country's pachinko parlours. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Students practising at the Japan Casino School (above) in Tokyo. Japan, which has allowed three integrated resorts (IRs) to be built, hopes to mitigate the risks of problem gambling while reaping the benefits of tourism spending and job creation. But
Students practising at the Japan Casino School in Tokyo. Japan, which has allowed three integrated resorts (IRs) to be built, hopes to mitigate the risks of problem gambling while reaping the benefits of tourism spending and job creation. But passing of IR-related laws has been acrimonious due to the notoriety of the country's pachinko parlours (above). PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Walter Sim Japan Correspondent In Tokyo  
Updated
Apr 14, 2019, 06:39 AM
Published
Apr 14, 2019, 05:00 AM
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The operators of Singapore's two integrated resorts (IRs), which this month injected $9 billion in fresh investment, are also itching to place their bets on Japan in the race to enter the world's largest untapped casino gambling market.

Las Vegas Sands Corp and Genting Singapore, which run Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa respectively, are among at least eight suitors for the three IRs that Japan has allowed.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on April 14, 2019, with the headline Japan rolls dice on Singapore-style IRs. Subscribe

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