Asia’s Game Changer, Japan Approves Casinos

A massive shift in Asian gaming is expected on the heels of Japan’s parliament giving the green light to casinos this week.

For the hospitality sector, the market expectation is that hotels and upscale retail will be major beneficiaries.

Over the next year more explicit rules will be rolled out and it is estimated that it will take five years to see the first projects open.

In terms of locations, Tokyo, Osaka and Yokohama have been widely named as key locations.

No doubt the news will cause concern in other gaming markets in Asia such as Macau and most certainly the large-scale new gaming districts in Metro Manila.

What is clear, is that much like the evolution of gaming in the US, which once was a one trick pony starring Las Vegas, these days the widespread casino’s across the American landscape have created new micro markets.