Gaming Law 2024 Comparisons

The Integrated Resort (IR) Promotion Law (the “IR Promotion Law”) and the IR Implementation Law (the “IR Implementation Law”, collectively with the IR Promotion Law, the “IR Laws”) were enacted in 2016 and 2018, respectively. Until then, the operation of gambling activities by the private sector, either in digital or land-based form, had been prohibited as criminal offences under the Penal Code. Pachinko (a vertical pinball-like gaming machine) and pachi-slot (a slot-machine-like gaming machine) have had certain popularity in Japan since the Second World War but the legality of these gaming machines has long been discussed. Under the IR Laws, gambling activities conducted by licensed casino business operators within approved land-based IRs are legalised, but initially only one IR area (Osaka) has been approved by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism.

Meanwhile, even after the enactment of the IR Laws, online gaming activities are still prohibited under the Penal Code and it will be illegal to conduct such activities within Japan.

Betting/Bingo/Casino/Lotteries

As mentioned in 1.1 Current Outlook and Recent Changes, online gaming activities are prohibited under the Penal Code and will not be legalised even after the enactment of the IR Laws since the IR Laws legalise only gambling activities conducted in land-based casino facilities located within an IR area.

According to a statement regarding online gambling published by the national government on 1 November 2013 (as a response to an enquiry from a member of the Diet), if all or part of the activities in “running a gambling place for the purpose of gaining profit” are undertaken within Japan, they may constitute a crime of “running a gambling place for the purpose of gaining profit” under the Penal Code. Exceptionally, betting on land-based horse races, bicycle races, motorcycle races, motorboat races, and lotteries that are operated by the national government, municipal bodies, and/or other public sectors (including the sports promotion lottery toto/BIG issued by the Japan Sports Council under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports Science, and Technology) may be performed on an “online” basis.

Fantasy Sports

If a user pays a participation fee to the operator and prize money is paid from such participation fee, it may constitute a form of betting that amounts to a crime of gambling (ie, betting values in respect of an uncertain event to compete for winning or losing such values) under the Penal Code. Using skill in composing fantasy teams may not totally negate fantasy sports’ nature of betting. Meanwhile, if prize money is provided only by a third-party sponsor, it will be legal.

Social Gaming

There are no laws specifically regulating the social gaming industry. However, the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA), a self-regulating organisation that merged with the Japan Social Game Association (JASGA), issues guidelines regarding real money trade (RMT) and gacha (ie, an online random item provision machine similar to a “loot box”).

In addition, excessive prizes might be banned by the Consumer Affairs Agency or the Japan Fair Trade Commission under the Act against Unfair Premiums and Misleading Representations (the “Unfair Premium Act”). More specifically, under the Unfair Premium Act, the amount of a prize may not exceed the lower value of:

• 20 times the value of the transaction; or
• JPY100,000.

E-sports

Similar to fantasy sports, if a participant pays a registration fee to the event organiser and prize money is paid from such registration fee, it may constitute a form of betting that amounts to the crime of gambling. In such case, the e-sports event organiser collecting registration fees may be charged for committing a crime of “running a gambling place for the purpose of gaining profit” under the Penal Code. Therefore, in Japanese e-sports events, no registration fees should be collected, or, if collected, prize money should not be paid from such registration fees and shall be paid (directly, if possible) from a sponsor or another third party.

Only betting on horse races, bicycle races, motorcycle races, motorboat races, and lotteries is operated by the national government, the municipal bodies, and other public sectors (including toto/BIG) in land-based form. All other betting, bingo, and casino activities used to be prohibited under the Penal Code.

However, as mentioned in 1.1 Current Outlook and Recent Changes, gambling activities to be conducted by licensed casino business operators within approved land-based IRs are legalised under the IR Laws. Under the Japan Casino Regulatory Commission’s (the “Commission”) rules, baccarat, blackjack (21), poker, roulette, sic bo, craps, Casino War, money wheel, pai gow (table game), and electronic table-games are permitted.

The Penal Code prohibits gambling activities as criminal offences. However, as an exception, the Penal Code will not be applicable to a licensed casino business operator’s authorised gambling activities operated as a business under the IR Implementation Law.

While there is no formal definition, a commonly perceived concept of “gambling” is “betting values in respect of an uncertain event to compete for winning or losing such values”.

There is no statutory definition of “land-based gambling” or “online gambling” since online gambling is still illegal under the Penal Code and only land-based gambling (more specifically, licensed casino businesses operated within an authorised IR area) is legalised under the IR Implementation Law.

As mentioned in 3.3 Definition of Land-Based Gambling, there is no statutory definition of “online gambling” since it is not legalised, even under the enactment of the IR Implementation Law.

A person who gambles shall be accused of committing a crime of “simple gambling”, though this will not be applicable to a person who bets on an item provided for temporary recreation.

A person who habitually gambles shall be accused of committing a crime of “habitual gambling”.

A person who provides gambling services (“runs a place for gambling or organises a group of habitual gamblers for the purpose of gaining profit”) shall be accused of committing a crime of “running a gambling place for the purpose of gaining profit”.

A person who committed a “simple gambling” crime shall be punished by a fine of not more than JPY500,000 or a petty fine.

A person who committed a “habitual gambling” crime shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than three years.

A person who “runs a place for gambling or organises a group of habitual gamblers for the purpose of gaining profit” shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than three months but not more than five years.

There is no notable recent or forthcoming legislation.

The Japan Casino Regulatory Commission is the key regulatory authority.

An IR Area Implementation Plan shall be approved by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, and a casino business operation needs to obtain a licence from the Commission. The IR business operator shall file financial statements on a yearly basis and reports on a quarterly basis with the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism. Thus, basically, Japan’s regulatory system is structured based upon a traditional “prescriptive” approach.

On the other hand, the Minister shall evaluate, notify, and publish the status of the implementation of the IR Area Implementation Plan, and the approved municipal body and the IR business operator shall appropriately reflect the result of such evaluation upon the improvement of their business operation to be made in accordance with the IR Area Implementation Plan. In that sense, the regulations of the IR Implementation Law are partially structured on a “risk-based” approach.

On 22 July 2022, the Japan Casino Regulatory Commission issued the Criteria of Examination for Granting Casino Business Licences, etc, under the IR Implementation Law and the subordinate Operational Guideline for Examination of Casino Business Licences, etc. The examination will be made by the Commission from various perspectives such as the applicant’s capability of appropriate operation of a casino business and having sufficient social credibility (including no relationship with a mob/gangsters), social credibility of the officers and directors and shareholders of the applicant, financial soundness (sufficient net worth will be required) and good prospect of the result of income and expenditure of the casino business (with reasonable grounds underlying such prospect), sufficient measures for preventing problem gambling (specific measures for restricting problem gamblers’ use of the casino will be required), anti-money laundering (specific KYC procedures will be required), and other viewpoints. The above criteria also stipulate the method of calculation of gross gaming revenue (GGR), the criteria for approval of execution of casino business-related contracts (for delegation purposes or otherwise), and certain other matters.

Under the IR Implementation Law, casino business licences may be granted only to IR operators that operate a complex mixture of facilities, such as convention centres, recreational facilities, tourist facilities and accommodation facilities, as well as casinos that are authorised by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism. In other words, a standalone casino business operator (non-IR operator) will not qualify as a licensed casino business operator. As a result, casino services may be provided only within IR areas implemented under the IR area implementation plan authorised by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism.

Besides, certain types of IR/casino-related business operators other than casino business operators will need their respective authorisations to conduct such businesses under the IR Implementation Law. For example:

• a casino facility provider must obtain a licence from the Commission if it intends to manage and lease casino facilities to a casino business operator; and
• the owner of any land that is used for IR/casino facilities shall obtain permission from the Commission if it transfers or leases the land to an IR/casino business operator.

The rent of lease of such casino facility or land shall be determined in a fixed amount since it is prohibited for a casino business operator to execute a contract for which the amount of consideration is determined in proportion to the GGR.

Furthermore, to ensure the sound operation of casino businesses, casino-related equipment providers must obtain the approval of the Commission if they wish to manufacture, import, or sell casino-related equipment. Since the quality and functionality of casino-related equipment affects the sound operation of casino businesses, casino-related equipment providers shall comply with technical standards for casino equipment as determined by the Commission. Casino-related equipment providers also have to pass an inspection of electromagnetic casino-related equipment that is conducted by the Commission, and examine non-electromagnetic casino-related equipment on their own and report the result of such examination to the Commission.

Under the IR Implementation Law, the maximum number of approved IR areas is initially three (the appropriateness of such number will be reviewed seven years after the issue date of the initial approvals and may or may not be increased up to ten). Since each IR area may have only one casino operated by one casino business operator, the maximum number of casino business licences is also initially three. So far only one casino business operator (Osaka IR) has been granted a casino business licence.

The duration of the Minister’s authorisation on the IR implementation plan is initially ten years and, thereafter, it shall be renewed every five years. The local municipal council’s approval will be necessary for the initial and every renewed authorisation. The risk of suspension of the IR/casino project due to disapproval by the municipal council or otherwise upon such renewal is a big open issue (the so-called Article 10 issue). The duration of a casino business licence is three years and a renewal will be required to extend it for another three years. In the renewal process, the Commission will check whether the licensee has maintained its integrity during the previous licence period.

The casino business licence may be revoked by the Commission:

• if the licence was obtained by making a false statement or by using any other unjust means;
• if the licensed casino business operator has not commenced its casino operation business within six months after passing the inspection of the constructed casino facility;
• if the casino operation business has been suspended for six months or more without any justifiable reason; or
• in certain other cases.

If the approval of the relevant IR Area Implementation Plan is revoked, or if the licence of the relevant casino facility provider is revoked or invalid, then the licence of the casino business will also be automatically revoked.

The key application requirements for casino business operators are:

• the capability of operating a casino business in terms of human resources, social credibility, financial stability, and anticipated profitability;
• the floor area for casino activities;
• the technological quality of the casino facility’s structure and equipment;
• the technological quality of the casino-related equipment; and
• certain other factors.

The offices of the applicant casino business operators must also have sufficient social credibility.

Strict background checks on the casino business operator’s officers, directors, employees, subsidiaries, affiliated companies, and other relevant persons and entities (including external persons who have controlling powers over the relevant casino operation) will be carried out during the above licensing process. Detailed information will be required to be submitted to the Commission to check the integrity and soundness of the IR operator’s business.

A licensed casino business operator shall be a company incorporated under the Companies Act (typically, a kabushiki kaisha (KK) or a godo kaisha (GK)). There are no residency or nationality requirements to become an owner of an IR/casino business operator.

Licensed casino business operators and licensed casino facility operators must periodically file with the Commission lists of all holders of voting rights, shares, or interests, pursuant to the rules of the Commission.

The approved IR operator applicant will file with the Commission an application for a licence for casino business operation, and the Commission will examine whether such applicant satisfies certain eligibility criteria. The standard licence examination period is not published by the Commission.

An applicant for a licence for a casino business operation shall pay the necessary costs for its examination to the national government. More specifically, such applicant shall pay an estimated amount of such examination costs (background check, etc) calculated and notified by the Commission by a date designated by the Commission. If the amount paid as an estimated amount is short of the amount of actual examination costs, the applicant shall pay the shortfall of costs calculated and notified by the Commission by a date designated by the Commission. If the above estimated amount or additional amount has not been paid, the Commission may dismiss the application for a casino business licence.

While there is no annual fee, if a casino business operator intends to renew the casino business licence after its valid period, it shall pay the costs necessary for the examination necessary for such renewal of the licence as in the similar amount-determination and payment process mentioned in 4.9 Application Fees.

As mentioned in 2.1 Online, under the IR Implementation Law, a casino business may be operated only within land-based IR areas authorised by the national government (where IRs or specified complex tourist facilities including convention centres, exhibition facilities, recreational/entertainment facilities, tourism promotion facilities, accommodation facilities, and a casino are established). Only one casino facility may be operated in a single IR area and the maximum floor area of a casino facility is 3% of the total floor area of such IR.

Currently only one IR area (Osaka IR) has been approved by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism.

The application of approval for Osaka IR was made on 27 April 2022, and the approval was granted on 14 April 2023.

No such licences are available.

No such licences are available.

There is no applicable information in this jurisdiction.

There is no applicable information in this jurisdiction.

There is no applicable information in this jurisdiction.

See 1.1 Current Outlook and Recent Changes.

Since a casino business licence is a privilege, the licensed casino business operator shall have high standards of ethics and integrity and shall take measures necessary to ensure responsible gambling.

The Basic Law on Measures Against Gambling Addiction was enacted in July 2018 and became effective in October 2018. Under such law, the national government made the Master Plan for Facilitating Gambling Addiction Measures on 19 April 2019. Thereafter, Osaka Prefecture made the 1st term plan for facilitating gambling addiction measures in March 2020 and the 2nd term plan for facilitating gambling addiction measures in March 2023.

In order to prevent addiction to casino gaming, a casino business operator must take the following measures:

• a measure for restricting the use of casino facilities by a visitor upon request from the visitor themselves, their family, or other persons concerned;
• a measure for restricting the use of casino facilities by a person who is found to be inappropriate to use casino facilities in order to prevent the harmful effects of addiction to casino gaming;
• a measure for establishing the necessary systems to appropriately respond to consultation on the use of casino facilities by visitors and other measures for helping visitors to make an appropriate decision on the use of casino facilities; and
• other measures necessary for preventing addiction to casino gaming as specified by the rules of the Commission.

To ensure these measures are taken appropriately, the casino business operator must take the following measures.

• Education and training of its employees.
• Improvement of systems to accurately implement the above measures, including the appointment of:
1. persons who exercise overall control over the services necessary for accurately implementing the above measures; and
2. persons who audit the relevant services.
• Evaluations of the above measures.
• Other measures specified by the rules of the Commission.

In addition, a casino business operator and its employees shall comply with the Regulations on Prevention of Addiction (which will be attached to the application for a casino business licence).

To ensure responsible gambling, a casino business operator must not allow the following persons to enter its casino facilities or stay therein, except for the cases specified by the relevant Cabinet order:

• a person who does not pay the national admission fee (JPY3,000 per entry) or the local admission fee (JPY3,000 per entry);
• a person, other than a non-resident foreigner, who has entered the casino gaming operation area three times in the past seven days; or
• a person, other than a non-resident foreigner, who has entered the casino ten times in the past 28 days.

For implementing such entry restriction, a casino business operator shall confirm the identity of visitors each time upon their entry into, and exit from, the casino gaming operation area.

To ensure responsible gambling, a casino business operator shall also take measures necessary for:

• identifying persons who are prohibited from entering casino facilities;
• having such entry-prohibited persons leave the casino facilities in cases where such persons are identified; and
• preventing such entry-prohibited persons from using the casino facilities.

For compliance with such rules, a casino business operator shall:

• implement education and training for its employees;
• make rules of conduct;
• appoint persons who exercise overall control over the services necessary for complying with these rules; and
• undertake other measures specified by the rules of the Casino Regulatory Commission.

To prevent problem gambling, only non-resident foreigners may purchase chips using credit cards. For the same reason, automatic teller machines (ATMs) are not permitted to be installed within casino facilities and only ATMs without money-lending functions are permitted to be installed in areas surrounding casino facilities.

In addition, since money lending might accelerate problem gambling, access to money borrowing is only available to:

• customers who have the financial capability to deposit with the casino business operator cash exceeding a certain amount; and
• non-resident foreign customers.

Also, to prevent excessive lending, casino business operators shall check customers’ capabilities to repay their loans and shall set a separate cap on the loan amount for each customer.

No gambling management tools are yet available.

There are no notable recent or forthcoming changes.

Members of organised crime groups, or those who used to be members of organised crime groups during the past five years, are prohibited from entering casino facilities. A casino business operator must:

• follow know-your-customer (KYC) procedures (confirmation of the identities of customers, the purposes of their transactions and their professions or business purposes, and the identities of persons controlling judicial entities);
• keep records of transactions; and
• notify the authorities of any transaction that is suspected to be a transfer of criminal proceeds.

In addition, the casino business operator must:

• take measures that are necessary to prohibit the transfer of chips among customers and the carrying of chips from within the casino facilities to outside;
• show signs stating that “the transfer or carrying of chips from within the casino facilities to outside is prohibited” in the area of verification of customers’ identification, as well as the area of casino activities; and
• notify the Commission of any delivery of chips or other casino business-related transactions that accompany the payment or receipt of cash exceeding JPY1 million.

More specifically, a casino business operator must:

• establish internal rules for the prevention of transfers of criminal proceeds, which set forth clear procedures for the above measures;
• take measures to update, from time to time, information regarding matters that need to be verified when conducting casino transactions (eg, details of identification documents that are required from customers);
• provide education and training to employees;
• put in place a system for implementing anti-money laundering measures, such as the appointment of a supervising manager;
• conduct self-evaluations and internal audits concerning its anti-money laundering measures; and
• take any other measures that are required under the rules of the Commission.

For the purpose of preventing money laundering, all money transfers and receipts carried out by casino business operators upon customers’ requests are only carried out via financial institutions, and each customer deposit is only transferred to that customer’s own account.

In Japan, money laundering with respect to proceeds from certain serious crimes such as drug-related crimes, murder, burglary, and currency counterfeiting (including activities conducted outside Japan that (i) would be criminal offences if they were conducted in Japan and (ii) are criminal offences under the relevant jurisdiction of the place where such activities were carried out) is prohibited as a crime under the Narcotics Special Provisions Act and the Punishment of Organised Crimes and Control of Crime Proceeds Act. In addition, in order to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing, the Criminal Proceeds Transfer Prevention Act (CPTPA) requires that certain types of business operators such as financial institutions and real estate agents:

• verify the identity of their customers by confirming the customer identification data, the purpose of conducting the transaction, the customer’s occupation or the nature of their business, and the beneficial owner of the customer (for an incorporated entity only) when undertaking certain transactions that are specified in the CPTPA;
• prepare and preserve records of such verification and the transaction itself; and
• report any suspicious transaction to the competent administrative authority.

These regulations are made based on recommendations issued by the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF).

There are no notable recent or forthcoming changes.

The Japan Casino Regulatory Commission is the relevant regulatory/supervisory agency.

In the Operational Guideline on Examination of Licences, etc, issued by the Japan Casino Regulatory Commission, advertising casino business or casino facilities is defined as “any activity notifying unspecified or many persons for inducing them into taking part in casino activities or entering into casino facilities”.

In order to prevent problem gambling and maintain the sound upbringing of young people, good morals, a clean entertainment environment, and the protection of customers, the following are prohibited:

• false or over-exaggerated expressions and explanations;
• expressions and explanations that may not be objectively proved to be true; and
• expressions and explanations that may violate good morals or damage a clean entertainment environment.

Every advertisement or promotion of a casino business or a casino facility shall contain:

• a warning regarding the connection between the use of casinos and problem gambling; and
• a notice that minors’ entry into casinos is prohibited.

In advertising the casino business or casino facilities, any person must make efforts:

• to give consideration to their influence over persons under 20 years of age and the relationship between the use of casino facilities and addiction to casino gaming; and
• not to advertise excessively.

More specifically, the casino business operator shall:

• educate and train its employees to comply with these rules;
• create internal compliance rules;
• appoint persons in charge of activities that are necessary for compliance with these rules; and
• appoint persons to audit such activities.

The installation of signboards, posters, and other advertisements is prohibited outside the IR area, except for passenger terminal facilities in airports and ports.

It is expected that the Commission will execute and publish a guideline on the advertisement and promotion of casino business, referencing the existing guidelines under the Tobacco Business Act, whereby, for example, no advertisement of tobacco may be made via radio, the internet, or certain other media unless it is technically feasible to make such advertisement target only adults.

The Commission may order any person who makes any advertisements of, or promotes, casino business in violation of the applicable rules to suspend or correct such advertisements or promotion by a certain deadline. Any person who violates such order may be subject to punishment by imprisonment with work for up to one year, a fine up to JPY1 million, or both.

The Commission may make a recommendation that a person who has advertised or solicited the casino business or casino facilities in violation of the Commission’s guidelines for casino advertisements shall take measures necessary for its correction. If the person does not comply with such recommendation, the Commission may make a public announcement of such non-compliance.

If the Commission finds that where (i) the advertisements might violate the relevant articles of the IR Implementation Law or do not follow the Commission’s guidelines for casino advertisements, or (ii) the person might not comply with the Commission’s recommendation, then the Commission may order the relevant person to submit necessary reports or have its officials enter such person’s offices or any other facilities and may inspect the relevant documents and other materials. A person who has failed to submit such report or submitted a false report, or has refused, obstructed, or avoided an inspection pursuant to the above rules may be subject to punishment by imprisonment with work for up to one year, a fine up to JPY1 million, or both.

There are no notable recent or forthcoming changes.

There are no disclosure requirements specifically tailored for acquisitions or change of control of gaming and gambling companies.

Under the IR Implementation Law, if the licensed casino business operator intends to carry out a merger, corporate split or transfer of its casino business, it must file with the Commission an application for the approval of such corporate reorganisation transaction. There is no definition of “merger”, “corporate split”, or “transfer of (casino) business” under the IR Implementation Law and the terms will have the same meanings as those used under the Companies Act.

A merger is a transaction in which a company’s rights and obligations are comprehensively accepted by another company and includes two types of mergers:

• an “absorption-type” merger, in which one company will merge into another company, which will be the surviving company; and
• a “consolidation-type” merger, in which both companies will be merged into a newly incorporated company.

A corporate split is a transaction in which all or part of the rights and obligations of a certain business division of a company are comprehensively transferred to another company and includes two types of corporate split:

• an “absorption-type” corporate split, in which an existing company transfers a certain division of its business to another existing company; and
• an “incorporation-type” corporate split, in which an existing company transfers a certain division of its business to a newly established company.

While there is no definition of “(casino) business transfer” in the Companies Act, it is generally considered as a contract-based transaction in which a company transfers all or part of its business (usually including the relevant assets, liabilities, contracts, employees, and other rights and obligations of the target business) to another company.

Any person who intends to become a holder of – eg, voting rights equal to or greater than 5% through a merger or any other transactions or acts specified by the rules of the Commission (not yet established), shall obtain an authorisation from the Commission.

There are no notable recent or forthcoming changes.

The Commission shall audit the operations and the accounting of casino business operators every year.

If and to the extent necessary, the Commission may order:

• a casino business operator;
• a holder of the voting rights of such casino business operator;
• a person who has dominant influence over the business activities of such casino business operator by way of capital contribution, money lending, business, or other relationships; and
• the employees or former employees of such casino business operator to submit the reports or materials relevant to the services conducted or the assets held by such casino business operator.

Even after the casino business operator has obtained a casino business licence, such casino business operator still has to conform to the licence standards listed in the IR Implementation Law concerning the services conducted, or the assets held, by such casino business operator.

The Commission may, if and to the extent necessary for enforcing the IR Law, have its officials:

• ask interested parties questions about the conformity to the licence standards, the services conducted, or the assets held by the relevant casino business operator;
• enter the business office or other establishment of the relevant casino business operator or certain other relevant parties or their employees;
• inspect the accounting books and other items; or
• remove non-electronic or magnetic casino-related devices if and to the extent necessary for testing, without compensation therefor.

The Commission may, when it finds it necessary to maintain the sound operation of the casino business by a casino business operator, taking into consideration the status of the services provided by such operator or the properties thereof:

• order such casino business operator to:
1. amend its statement of operational methods;
2. submit to the Commission the plans for improvement of business operations or status of properties; or
3. take other necessary measures for improving its business operations or status of properties; or
• if and to the extent necessary, order the suspension of all or part of the relevant casino business or the related services provided within casino operation areas.

The Commission may:

• order the relevant casino business operator to suspend all or part of the relevant casino business or the related services within casino gaming operation areas, setting an appropriate time limit;
• revoke a casino licence or other approval;
• revoke a confirmation upon a casino operator’s employees or other staff; or
• order the relevant casino business operator to dismiss the relevant officers.

In addition, the Commission may, when it finds it necessary to maintain the sound operation of the casino business, order the approved principal shareholders of the relevant casino business operators, for example, to take measures deemed necessary for their supervision.

There is no history of enforcement of sanctions since the Commission was established as of January 2020.

There are no special rules regarding calculation or enforcement of financial penalties.

There are no notable recent or forthcoming changes.

The casino business operator bears the following.

• A floating national tax, the amount of which is:
1. 15% of the GGR (which is composed of (i) the aggregate chip amount received from customers, less the amount refunded to customers, and (ii) the profit gained from betting among customers) per month; and
2. a fixed tax that covers the administrative expenses of the Committee; and
3. a floating municipal tax, the amount of which is 15% of the GGR per month.

The casino business operator shall pay these taxes to the national government on a monthly basis, by a specific day of each month.

The national government and the relevant municipal body impose entrance fees on customers other than non-resident foreigners entering casino facilities, in the amount of JPY3,000 as the national entrance fee and JPY3,000 as the municipal entrance fee (JPY6,000 in total).

The casino business operator shall collect these entrance fees from customers upon their entry into casino facilities for the national government and the municipal body, and shall pay such amount to the national government on a monthly basis by a specific day of each month.

There are no notable recent or forthcoming changes.

No specific licences are required for directors or employees. However, a background check of directors and officers will be made as part of the examination of the licence for the casino business operator. Casino business operators shall obtain pre-confirmation from the Commission in respect of employees or others to engage in certain casino-related services and shall make a post-fact filing in respect of such employees or others with the Commission without delay after it has them engage in such casino-related services.

As for shareholders, any person who wishes to own 5% or more of the voting rights, shares, or interests in an IR/casino business operator needs to obtain permission from the Commission on the ground that such person may materially affect the casino business operator’s casino business by exercising its voting rights, etc, and it will receive distributions from the casino’s GGR.

Shareholders and their directors and officers (in case where the shareholder is a judicial entity) must have sufficient social credibility and a person having a certain criminal record will be disqualified. Application for permission shall be filed in advance of their acquisition of shares of a casino business operator. No fees will be required for filing such application.

No annual fees are applicable.

A casino business operator shall submit to the Commission the list of shareholders within three month after the end of each business year.

A person who acquires 5% or more of the shares of a casino business operator without obtaining the Commission’s permission may be subject to punishment by imprisonment with work for not more than one year, or a fine of not more than JPY1 million. A person who fails to submit the annual list of shareholders may be subject to punishment by a fine of not more than JPY300,000.

There are no notable recent or forthcoming changes.