Japanese gov't outlines casino regulations

Among the requirements submitted by the local authorities are:

• IRs will have to include casinos, hotels, international convention and exhibition halls, recreation facilities such as museums, and domestic tour desks.
• Japanese nationals will be required to display their “My Number” identification cards for taxation and social security purposes before entering IRs, in order for the number of their visits to be monitored. People aged under 20 will be prohibited from entering IRs.
• A restriction will be set on the number of IRs across the country and on their floor space.
• The land, infrastructure, transport and tourism minister will approve IR districts and oversee IR operators, as well as host prefectures and municipalities that draw up IR development plans.
• Entrance fees will be collected from all visitors except foreign tourists.

A casino control committee with binding powers will be established under the Cabinet Office to issue casino business licenses, inspect casino operations and impose administrative punishments on any offenders.

To prevent money laundering through casinos by organized crime groups and other antisocial entities, the casino control committee will check for any links between IR operators and such entities before granting casino licenses.