Japan is not an easy place to gamble as laws currently prevent large casino resorts from operating. An initial bill has been signed, which is starting to open the way for casino conglomerates like MGM and Dynam. However, a June 2, 2015 report says support for gambling is still very week. The bill is in the approval process, which means it has not been passed and fully accepted. This is not stopping international companies from preparing with various filings.
Dynam is one company gearing up for the legalization of gaming establishments. On June 24, 2015 they entered a filing in the Hong Kong market indicating their intentions to build a resort development.
If the filing is accepted and gaming legalized, Dynam will build the resort in Shimonoseki. It is the largest city on the island of Honshu, and in Yamaguchi prefecture.
Dynam announced they would start planning and preparing for the resort in July and use the rest of the year to create some good ideas for their development. They would also seek an investment partnership to ensure the casino resort has funding. In 2016, the company plans to look at the budget in detail. Dynam has 48 years in the gaming industry with pachinko halls. They feel this experience is enough to operate a resort casino in Japan when the market is open to it.
MGM Resorts International is also preparing for legalization. They are setting their sights on Tokyo and Osaka, as well as some of the other big cities in Japan.
Current laws prohibit casinos, but this has not stopped the Yakuza from operating illegal locations. Pachinko, which is like pinball slot machines, is not considered gambling. Japan also has a lottery that is legal. While casinos are not legal, sports betting on public races are. This includes bicycle, powerboat, asphalt speedway motorcycle, and horse racing.