Michael Penn
Wakayama IR Promotion Council urges operator selection
A general meeting of the Wakayama IR Promotion Council held last weekend passed a resolution urging the prefectural government to make its decision on an IR operator partner as soon as possible.
Pachinko industry needs new business model
Even before the Covid pandemic it was apparent that the pachinko industry, at least in its current form, possessed a dying business model. Recent events have only accelerated the trends.
Bicycle racing shares in Japan’s online gambling boom
Japan’s Keirin (bicycle racing) has not been left behind in the nation’s recent online wagering boom. While revenues have been advancing slowly in recent years, in 2020 overall ticket sales jumped to just under JPY750 billion (US$6.9 billion), a 13.6% year-on-year increase.
Osaka frets over loss of leverage and scaled-back IR ambitions
The authorities in Osaka are concerned that they have lost leverage in negotiations with the MGM-Orix IR consortium, and that poor business conditions will force a significant scaling back of ambitions, according to the reporting of the Nihon Keizai Shinbun.
Oshidori makes CSR push in Nagasaki
Facing crunch time as Nagasaki Prefecture nears its final selection of an IR operator partner, Oshidori International Development is making a big push through CSR policies to distinguish itself from its remaining rivals.
Nagasaki forms education consortium to support IR development
A consortium of public institutions is being formed in Nagasaki Prefecture to support the education of young people who may eventually work at the prospective IR at the Huis Ten Bosch theme park or in related industries such as hotel and MICE.
Japan sparks up debate on legalized sports betting
The possibility that Japan might legalize sports betting for popular sports like professional baseball and soccer exploded into the public view on Wednesday with a scoop carried in the Financial Times.
Pachinko industry dismisses Covid emergency closure requests
In response to the latest state of emergency declaration in four prefectures, it does not appear that any pachinko company has chosen to comply with their governors’ requests to suspend operations.
Yokohama anti-casino forces struggle to select unity candidate
The possibility that the Yokohama opposition will fail to agree on a viable anti-casino mayoral candidate is growing as the target date for making a decision continues to slip.
Japan off-track betting venues suspended over Covid emergency
The new state of emergency declarations for four urban prefectures in Japan is hitting the horse racing associations in various ways, including the running of races without spectators and the suspension of business at off-track betting facilities.
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