Problem gambling leads casino debate in Japan

The debate was focused on problem gambling discussions, floor layouts and where the integrated resorts would likely be most profitable.

Local media reports showed that Osaka interest in hosting an integrated resort is strong, with the administration of Governor Ichiro Matsui leading the effort to ensure the region gets one of the first licenses. The city also hopes to host the 2025 World Expo, which will be awarded in November 2018.

However, casino opponents said panel proposals were insufficient to address a number of social concerns related to the construction of integrated resorts in the country.

"The panel has proposed limiting the number of times Japanese people can enter the casinos on a given day or during any given week. But that could simply encourage people to spend longer periods of time in the casino," said Tetsunari Yoshida, a lawyer based in neighboring Hyogo Prefecture.

While local officials continue to insist that the Expo bid and the drive for a casino resort are not related, some at Friday’s meeting see one as complimenting the other, pointed the report published by The Japan Times.

 “The theme of Osaka’s 2025 Expo bid is designing future society for our lives, and if an integrated resort can be aligned with that theme, the resort would become a one-of-a-kind, only-in-Japan type of resort,” said Takako Igaki, a representative from an urban design research institute.