Thai casino legislation could cast shadow on Japan’s long-awaited IR dream

The anticipated approval by the Thai cabinet of a study recommending the legalization of casino gaming poses a serious threat to the future of Japan’s slow-burning IR industry, potentially stealing not only the interest of players but the industry as a whole, an expert believes.

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Joji Kokuryo, Managing Director of Japan-based consultancy Bay City Ventures, told Inside Asian Gaming that reports Thailand could open its first legal casinos as early as 2029 – putting it at least a year ahead of MGM’s IR development in Osaka, due to open in 2030 – should be particularly concerning to a country that has been famously slow in making its own casinos a reality.