Since the enactment of a law in July 2018 legalizing casino gambling in Japan, large resort operators from the United States have been boosting public relations efforts as they plan bids to enter the budding market.
With the law set to allow up to three coveted gaming licenses for the development of casino resorts around the country, a potential market that some project will hit ¥2 trillion a year ($18 billion), gambling giants like Wynn Resorts Ltd. and MGM Resorts International are staking their chips on what they hope will be a big payout.
Although expectations are high for substantial economic gains, including job creation, there is widespread public concern that gambling addiction and negative social impacts will rise.