The government has started holding public hearings nationwide about the establishment of so-called integrated resorts, or IRs, that would include casinos, gatherings that have highlighted again how divided public opinion is over legalizing casinos.
The deep-rooted opposition has led to turmoil in some municipalities that are seeking an IR. And with the approval ratings for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet plunging, some politicians have expressed doubt over whether IRs will see the light of day anytime soon.
On Friday afternoon, a public hearing for the Kinki region was held in Osaka. It was attended by about 80 people, including individuals and representatives of businesses and municipalities. The attendees' views were divided between people who want the economic benefits an IR would bring and people worried that an IR would lead to an increase in gambling addictions.
An attendee in favor of IRs said, "They would become a nucleus of tourism and give rise to new basic industries." An opponent said: "Essentially they'd be gambling dens. They'd take customers' savings and increase gambling addictions."
Several Kinki municipalities are actively vying for an IR, including Osaka Prefecture and the city of Osaka, Wakayama Prefecture and the city of Wakayama, and Izumisano in Osaka Prefecture. The Osaka prefectural and municipal governments, which hope to open an IR by 2023, have received sales pitches from 10 foreign and domestic companies, among other developments.
