If Japan decides to legalise and regulate casino gambling, it could be a game-changer for the international gambling market. Australian operators like James Packer have a particularly vested interest in the Japanese gambling market, as it presents very fruitful opportunities. According to The Age, even locals are hopeful that the Japanese casino market will open up.
In a recent feature Taichi Yahagi was interviewed, and he expressed his interest in becoming a dealer. He spent $5200 on a course at the Japan Casino School in hopes that he will be able to get a job in the industry if Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will succeed in legalising casino gambling. Yahagi is optimistic that regulating casinos in the country will help to bring in much-needed job opportunities for locals.
As a teacher, he finds that he is facing cutbacks as the birth rate in Japan continues to decline. As such, the opening of the casino market would present lucrative new jobs for Japanese residents. The casino will also boost the economy from a tourism perspective. Australian casino operators have already demonstrated that targeting wealthy Asian gamblers is an effective tactic for boosting gambling revenue.
If Japan were to open its market, Asian gamblers would certainly flock to these casinos. In addition, the Olympics will be held in Japan in 2020, and the casinos would rake in generous revenue during this time. “We need foreigners to visit for the Games and spend at casinos,” he says. “Otherwise, Japan's economy won't pick up at all.”
Australian gambling mogul James Packer has recently sunk his teeth into Japan’s potential gambling market. He has expressed interest in opening a casino once the market is regulated. Since Melco Crown operates casinos in Macau and the Philippines, he already has experience in the Asian market – and his Japanese casino could really take off.
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