Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows as the regulatory bill on integrated resorts passes at the House of Representatives in Tokyo on Tuesday. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)

World's casino giants bet big on the golden Japanese market

Government legalizes gambling despite strong public opposition

ERI SUGIURA, Nikkei staff writer

June 19, 2018 16:03 JST

TOKYO -- Foreign casino operators are salivating over the prospect of finally winning access to the world's third-biggest economy. They estimate that the Japanese casino market could be worth 1.75 trillion yen ($15.8 billion) a year when resorts are opened in three cities, surpassing Nevada's $11.1 billion.