Inaugural Japan Gaming Congress kicks off Wednesday

The Congress will focus on key issues such as the implementation of the IR model in Japan, local and international collaboration, political landscape and legislative process, licensing procedures for gaming manufacturers and the influence of the pachinko industry on the casino market in Japan.

It features key note speaker Michael Leven, President and Chief Operating Officer of Las Vegas Sands. Goldman Sachs will present, alongside Las Vegas Sands, on the market and potential investment opportunities that will be created by proposed new casino legislation.

The first JgC will feature over 50 leading gaming authorities, politicians and marketing professionals and will deliver over 20 hours of insight, learning and networking The Congress is on course to sell-out in its inaugural year.

Besides, it has received a major endorsement with confirmation that three House of Representatives members from the LDP Party have been confirmed for the opening keynote discussion taking place on Thursday 15th May.

The three senior and influential politicians comprise Takeshi Iwaya, Chief Secretary of IR GIREN,  Koichi Hagiuda, Member, House of Representatives and  Sakihito Ozawa, Member, House of Representatives. The keynote address, which is being chaired by Fred Gushin, Managing Director of Spectrum Gaming, will outline Japan's framework for regulating land-based gaming including a discussion on what key areas the government is likely to consider during the legislative and regulatory process in order to ensure future progression and sustainability.  

Japan is set to benefit from the inflow of international expertise at JgC, according to Takashi Kiso, CEO of the Japan based International Casino Institute. Talking two months ahead of the inaugural JgC, he had confirmed: "For the emerging market to be successful, I think it is very important to obtain the knowledge from countries in which the gaming infrastructure can be described as advanced."

Bloomberry Resorts Corporation, developers, owners and operators of the Solaire Resort, Manila, has been confirmed as Lead Sponsor. Supporting Sponsors are: Aruze, JCM and law firm Latham & Watkins. Sponsors are: Bally Technologies, IGT, GLI, Greenberg Traurig, BetConstruct and Konami. Spectrum Gaming Group is the Supporting Partner.

Rory Credland, Senior Producer responsible for Japan Gaming Congress said: "To have one politician is a success but to secure three is a major coup and a fantastic endorsement of May's event.  There is undoubtedly momentum in Japan and JgC is ideally positioned to provide delegates with both insight to the process and access to the decision makers."

He added: "Also, for the international delegates, it is the best place to understand the momentum of the casino legalisation in Japan. I am sure that the attending delegates will benefit from learning about the most up-to-date developments across a wide range of topics impacting the sector in Japan.You really have to be in Japan to get a full and comprehensive understanding of the scale and nature of the proposed legislation, what it offers commercial organisations and how to enjoy the benefits from such an exciting market."

Marketing Director Jo Mayer said: "With the potential to generate gross gaming revenue of us$ 15 billion in its first year, the opportunity in Japan is huge. However, the new national and licensing framework for Japan brings with it a whole raft of complex legal and technical requirements that need to be addressed and international operators will be able to find all of the answers at the Congress which is being held across 14th – 16th May in Tokyo."

The conference will take place just before Reed Exhibitions and the American Gaming Association hold the Global Gaming Expo Asia (G2E Asia) in Macau, from May 20 to 22.

For more information on the Japan Gaming Congress and how to attend visit www.japangamingcongress.comor contact [email protected]