Japan

Japan is preparing to relaunch its casino licensing process, signaling a renewed push to establish integrated resorts (IRs) as a cornerstone of its tourism strategy. Under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the government has announced a second bidding round for two remaining gaming licenses, scheduled from May to November 2027. The initiative aims to attract global investment, enhance Japan’s competitiveness in business tourism, and drive foreign visitor spending to nearly Rs. 7.8 lakh crore annually by 2030.

Japan’s evolving casino landscape reflects a careful balance between economic ambition and deeply rooted cultural attitudes. While the government advances plans to expand integrated resorts, including a major development in Osaka, public enthusiasm remains limited. Author Pico Iyer notes that gambling has never been central to Japanese society, despite strong participation in activities such as horse racing and pachinko. With new casino licences expected to be offered, Japan is positioning itself within the global gaming industry.

For decades, casino gambling was illegal in Japan, despite the country having one of the world’s largest consumer economies. While forms of betting such as horse racing and pachinko operated legally under specific frameworks, full-scale casinos were prohibited.

That changed in 2016 when Japan passed the Integrated Resort (IR) Promotion Act, formally allowing casino development under strict regulation. The move followed years of political debate over tourism strategy, economic revitalization and social safeguards.

Osaka has positioned itself at the forefront of Japan’s emerging casino resort landscape, signaling a renewed drive to strengthen tourism and regional economic growth. The city’s progress on integrated resort development reflects a broader national strategy to attract high-value international visitors while diversifying revenue streams beyond traditional tourism. By combining gaming with hospitality, conventions, and entertainment, Osaka’s project is being viewed as a blueprint for future developments across the country.

Japan is set to initiate a new selection process for integrated resort casino sites, marking a renewed phase in its long-delayed effort to develop a regulated gaming and tourism industry. The move signals the government’s intent to revive investor interest and accelerate regional economic development through large-scale resort projects that combine casinos with hotels, convention centers, and entertainment facilities. After years of regulatory caution and limited approvals, authorities are now preparing to broaden participation beyond existing locations.

Gambling in Japan operates within a tightly regulated framework that blends cultural tradition, strict legal controls, and gradual economic reform. While most forms of wagering remain prohibited, state-sanctioned betting on activities such as horse racing and lotteries has long been permitted under specific statutes. More recently, the approval of integrated resorts featuring casinos has signaled a cautious shift toward controlled liberalization. Policymakers aim to attract foreign investment and tourism while limiting social risks.

Japan’s ruling parties have reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a tax exemption for non-resident casino visitors, signaling policy continuity as the country advances its integrated resort strategy. The decision reflects a broader economic calculus aimed at enhancing Japan’s competitiveness in the global tourism and gaming market while attracting high-spending foreign visitors. Despite domestic debate over fairness and revenue optimization, policymakers argue that taxing non-resident gamblers could undermine investment returns and dampen international demand.

Japan’s ruling coalition has reaffirmed its intention to exempt non-resident visitors from taxes on casino winnings as part of the country’s integrated resort policy framework. The stance reflects a strategic effort to enhance Japan’s competitiveness as a global tourism and entertainment destination while ensuring regulatory clarity for foreign players. By maintaining a tax-free approach for non-residents, policymakers aim to attract high-spending international tourists and strengthen the economic viability of large-scale resort projects.

Japan is set to launch its second round of casino licensing in 2027, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s nascent integrated resort industry. Following the initial wave of licenses granted in the mid-2020s, the government aims to attract new domestic and international investors while ensuring adherence to stringent regulatory standards. The move reflects Japan’s broader strategy to stimulate tourism, diversify entertainment offerings, and generate additional tax revenue.

Japanese law enforcement authorities have launched an internal probe after nine police officers were found to be under suspicion for participating in online casino gambling, an activity prohibited under domestic law. The development has drawn public attention to compliance standards within institutions entrusted with upholding legality and public order. While the amounts involved have not been officially disclosed, the case highlights broader challenges faced by regulators as offshore digital gambling platforms continue to attract users despite legal restrictions.