Japan’s national government will pick Osaka over Nagasaki as its preferred bidder for the country’s first integrated resort, with approval most likely to be granted in January 2023. That’s according to Osaka MP Nobuyuki Baba who said a decision could be out “before the Diet session starts”. 

Osaka Expected to Obtain IR Nod

In a statement to Japanese media, Baba said leaders of his party, Japan Innovation, had been in talks with national officials and the ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), on the status of Osaka’s IR proposal. Though he stopped short of mentioning names, Baba said the forthcoming decision should be positive for Osaka. 

Osaka submitted its IR District Development Plan to the national government in April. The city is proposing to build a casino resort on the man-made Yumeshima Island in Osaka Bay. The city is partnering with MGM Resorts International for the JPY1.08 –trillion (US$8.1 billion) project. 

Public Consultation Ongoing

Yumeshima will also play host to Expo 2025, a global fair that will take place from April to October 2025. Osaka will utilize a 50-hectare plot for the event. The IR project will stand on a separate 49-acre site on the artificial island. 

Osaka’s IR proposal and Expo 2025 are both part of “phase 2” of Yumeshima. Local authorities recently opened a public consultation on the matter which will conclude on May 10, 2023.

The Nevada Gaming Commission has stepped up efforts to combat cyberattacks, with the unanimous approval of new regulation aimed at protecting casinos and their patrons from data breach. The amended regulation will see licensed operators develop risk assessment plans relating to cybersecurity threats within one year. 

Casinos Must Develop Cybersecurity Best Practices

The new changes were approved on December 22, 2022 and will come into effect on January 1, 2023. It applies to all licensed casinos and sportsbooks operating in the state.

The new regulation requires each licensed operator to develop the cybersecurity best practices it deems appropriate, and modify them at least every year. The licensees must also report any data breach arising from a cyberattack to the Nevada Gaming Control Board within 72 hours. 

Both the Nevada Resort Association (NRA) and the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) agreed to the new changes. Virginia Valentine, president of the NRA, said certain aspects of the new regulation were drafted based on feedback from the association’s members. Similarly, suggestions from AGEM were also included in the final document. 

Cyberattacks at Casinos

Over the years, casinos have become the subject of cyberattacks, often resulting in confidential information being compromised. One of the victims was Hard Rock Hotel (now operating as Virgin Hotels Las Vegas) which was hit by a data breach affecting customer credit cards twice in 2015 and 2016. 

Wynn Macau Ltd has plans to develop a theater, an interactive center, and an event space, among other non-gaming attractions in the region under its new 10-year license. The company revealed its plans at a press briefing on December 17, 2022, which was also attended by representatives from the five other casino operators who were granted new 10-year concessions by the Macau government.

Focus on Non-Gaming Initiatives

Wynn stated that it would spend over $2 billion on a variety of non-gaming initiatives to attract more foreign visitors to Macau. Among them is building a theater, an event and entertainment center, and an art gallery. 

Wynn Resorts Macau chief financial officer and chief administrative officer Craig Jeffrey Fullalove also said the company would explore opportunities that would promote Macau’s community and maritime tourism. 

Wynn Committed to Boosting Foreign Visitor Numbers

Given its “significant international network”, Wynn is confident it can deliver on the Macau government’s goal to increase the volume of overseas visitors to the region, which was also among the key requirements of the new 10-year gaming concession. 

Wynn Macau Ltd operates two casinos in Macau – Wynn Resorts Macau and Wynn Palace in Cotai. Its ultimate parent is Wynn Resorts Ltd which is based in Nevada, USA.

Macau is pushing on with its tax incentive policy designed to boost the number of foreign customers visiting the city’s casinos. As part of new regulations announced by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), casino concessionaires will be required to create special gaming zones and chips exclusively for overseas patrons. 

Casinos Could be Eligible for up to 5% Tax Incentive

Operators that can attract more foreigners to their respective gaming venues could enjoy up to 5% gross gaming revenue (GGR) tax reduction, subject to approval from the Chief Executive. DICJ director Adriane Marques Ho stated during a press conference on December 9 that the main purpose of creating a designated zone for foreigners inside casinos is to determine the amount of revenue generated by overseas visitors.

Andre Cheong Weng Chon, Secretary for Administration and Justice, who was also present during the media briefing, said the tax incentive system will help casino operators mitigate the high costs of bringing more foreign customers to Macau. 

New Tax System Kicks In on January 1, 2023

The tax reduction will only be applicable to GGR generated in the special gambling zones. Mr. Ho noted that the DICJ will provide further guidelines for operators as to the conditions that must be fulfilled before admitting a foreign patron into the special zone.

The new regulations will take effect from January 1, 2023.

Ireland finally published its Gambling Regulation Bill on December 2, 2022, a move welcomed by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA). In a recent statement posted on its website, the trade association said the publication of the Bill is a “significant milestone” for Ireland.

EGBA Fully Supports Ireland’s Gambling Regulation Bill

Under the new legislation, Ireland’s gambling sector will fall under the remit of a new regulatory body, the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), with Anne Marie Caulfield, former director of the Residential Tenancies Board, serving as Chief Executive.

EGBA Secretary General Maarten Haijer said the EBGA fully supports the new regulations which will bring Ireland’s gambling regulatory framework up to par with other EU jurisdictions. 

Major gambling operators in the country, including Flutter Entertainment, also welcome the new Bill, which also proposes the creation of a self-exclusion scheme for customers at risk of gambling harm, as well as requirements regarding advertising, promotions, and sponsorships. 

Bill Could Become Law in 2023

The use of credit cards for gambling transactions will be prohibited, and children and minors won’t be allowed to participate in any form of gambling. A social fund will also be established to fund problem gambling research, education, and treatment programs.

The Gambling Regulation Bill will still be debated at the Oireachtas, which is comprised of the Dáil Éireann (lower house), the Seanad Éireann (upper house), and the President. The legislation is likely to be approved into law in late 2023.