Japan’s casino bidding may resume in 2026, influenced by the 2018 gambling law. The prevalence of online gambling is alarming, with police data indicating that 3.4 million people participate in illegal online betting.
According to sources, Japan may resume bidding for casino projects in 2026 to comply with the gambling law passed in 2018. This law allows for the development of up to three integrated resorts (IRs) nationwide to promote tourism and economic development. However, there are doubts about whether previously interested companies are willing to make significant investments in Japan.
Previously, several companies expressed excitement about Japan’s casino projects, including Las Vegas Sands, Melco Resorts, Wynn Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting Group, and Hard Rock International. However, these companies chose to withdraw in 2020 for various reasons, including market changes and the impact of the pandemic. Now, in the second round of casino bidding in Japan, executives in the gambling industry are concerned whether these companies will reconsider entering the Japanese market.
Meanwhile, Thailand is advancing its own gambling liberalization process and is expected to pass a bill this year allowing the establishment of casino resorts in Bangkok, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. This move could attract the attention of investors who were previously interested in Japan. Sources indicate that Thailand’s casino licenses could take precedence over Japan’s projects, posing a challenge to Japan’s casino revival.
As the casino and gambling market evolves, the issue of online gambling in Japan is becoming increasingly severe. Although Japanese laws restrict legal forms of gambling to horse racing, auto racing, and lottery betting, this has not deterred millions of residents from participating in online gambling. According to the latest estimates from Japan’s National Police Agency, approximately 3.4 million people engage in online gambling in Japan, with most using illegal and unregulated offshore casino websites.
A survey on online gambling revealed that about 40% of online gamblers are unaware that their actions are illegal. This phenomenon reflects a lack of awareness and education regarding gambling regulations. Police anticipate that the total amount of online gambling will reach 12.4 trillion yen (approximately 84 billion USD) by 2024. Many participants initially register hoping to play free social casino games but gradually shift to wagering real money.
To address this growing problem, the Japanese government plans to implement measures, including charging residents a 6,000 yen (approximately 40 USD) entry fee to casinos and limiting the number of visits per month to mitigate the potential social harms of legalized casinos. These measures aim to control the negative impacts of gambling and protect public interests.
Despite the government’s efforts to curb the expansion of online gambling, balancing economic development with social responsibility remains a pressing issue amidst the growing popularity of gambling culture. As the future of casino bidding resumes and the market changes, competition between the gambling industries of Japan and South Korea will intensify, attracting more interest from international investors.
