National May 16, 2020
Withdrawal by Las Vegas Sands a major setback for Japan's casino efforts
by Eric Johnston
The decision comes as doubts grow about whether integrated resorts can be opened in Japan within the next few years.
Business / Economy Apr 2, 2020
Coronavirus casts shadow over Japan's timeline for casino resorts
by Eric Johnston
With the Diet focused on responding to the worsening spread of COVID-19, the timeline for the central government to approve the nation’s first casino resorts has been thrown into doubt. Plans still officially call for proposals to be submitted by interested local governments between January ...
Business Apr 2, 2020
All bets are off: Casino capitals Macao and Las Vegas slammed by virus
The vast, glitzy gaming halls of Macao are open, but thousands of baccarat tables are empty. The world's biggest gambling hub has barred entry to most travelers and hotels are being used to isolate new arrivals in case they have been infected by coronavirus. In ...
Asia Pacific Apr 1, 2020
In scrappy Cambodian casino town, Chinese plan future beyond coronavirus
by Clare Baldwin
When casino owner Kang Qiang looks out the window of his 20th floor office in this city on the remote Cambodian coast, he sees construction cranes sitting idle. The Chinese-funded gambling enclave of Sihanoukville has suffered a double blow. Travel restrictions imposed in recent weeks ...
Asia Pacific Feb 17, 2020
Macao casinos to resume operations Thursday after suspension over virus fear
Macau, the world's biggest gambling hub, will allow casinos to resume operations Thursday after authorities imposed a two-week suspension to keep the coronavirus in check, according to public broadcaster TDM. The unprecedented halt of gaming operations started Feb. 5 and had been due to end ...
National / Politics Feb 15, 2020
Lawmaker Tsukasa Akimoto claims innocence in casino bribery cases
Tsukasa Akimoto, the lawmaker charged with bribery, asserts his innocence and says he did not take any bribes from a Chinese company interested in Japan’s casino market.
Business / Corporate Feb 14, 2020
MGM's longtime CEO Jim Murren to quit before contract ends
by Christopher Palmeri
Jim Murren, MGM Resorts International's longtime chairman and chief executive officer, plans to step down before his contract expires, departing as the casino company copes with fallout from the deadly new coronavirus. Murren, 58, will remain on the job until a successor is named, the ...
National / Crime & Legal Feb 13, 2020
Japanese lawmaker Tsukasa Akimoto, indicted for casino bribery, released on bail
Japanese lawmaker Tsukasa Akimoto, who was indicted on charges of taking bribes from a Chinese company interested in entering Japan's nascent casino market, was released Wednesday after paying ¥30 million in bail. Tsukasa Akimoto, 48, has been indicted for allegedly receiving a total of ¥7.6 ...
National / Crime & Legal Feb 10, 2020
Bail OK'd for Lower House lawmaker Tsukasa Akimoto as Japan casino scandal brews; prosecutors appeal
The scandal-tainted lawmaker will be free to carry out his public duties in the Diet as long as he sticks to his bail terms.
Asia Pacific / Science & Health Feb 4, 2020
Macao to close casinos for two weeks as gambling hub battles coronavirus outbreak
Macao on Tuesday said it will temporarily close down all casinos as the gambling hub battles the deadly coronavirus, cutting off the lifeblood of the city's economy. The move came as the former Portuguese colony confirmed its tenth confirmed case of the virus, which has ...
National / Crime & Legal Feb 3, 2020
Japan lawmaker at center of casino bribery probe indicted on new charge
A lawmaker at the heart of a bribery scandal involving a Chinese gambling operator seeking to enter Japan's forthcoming casino market was indicted Monday on a fresh bribery charge. Tsukasa Akimoto, 48, is alleged to have received ¥2 million ($18,450) from the Chinese firm, 500.com ...