Your Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Will politics upset the IR apple cart again?

Good morning. The next two to three months could see more gale force winds headed for Japan’s IR industry, due to an exciting political calendar with the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election, followed closely by national elections likely in early November. Our Deep Dive today comes from Daniel Cheng, who examines the political hurdles ahead for Japan’s IR industry.

What you need to know

Macau began “a state of immediate prevention” from midnight on Saturday after the discovery of two new Covid cases, imposing travel restrictions ahead of the key Golden Week holiday.
Wynn Resorts CEO Matt Maddox says he’s very, very bullish about the future of Macau and that he doesn’t see recent amendments to the gaming law as being punitive.
The Covid pandemic has triggered a spike in attempts to fix sports matches and the upward trend is likely to continue for some time, according to a leading sports data firm.

On the radar

The Philippines wants to inoculate all tourism workers by year end.
International Ent reported a widened loss of HK$272.8 million for FY21.
China’s central bank has reiterated its stance against cryptocurrency.
Saipan loses a casino commissioner, regulator still quorate.
Genting Malaysia warns public about online survey scam.
Nagasaki IR seen as producing $2.9 billion economic spillover effect.

What the papers say

Macau reports 64th Covid case local resident returning from Turkey.
427,000 tested in Macau, no positive case so far.
China crackdown part of a quest to transform Macau’s casino industry.
Goa police arrest six in bust of illegal India Premier League gambling ring.

AGB Intelligence

DEEP DIVE

Will politics upset Japan’s IR apple cart again?

Japan’s lurching move towards establishing a casino industry faces several key political dates that could either derail the process, or help to shape the outcome of who wins one of the coveted IR licenses. The first of these tests is coming up on September 29, when the ruling Liberal Democratic Party will choose who will replace Yoshihide Suga as leader of the party and as Japan’s next prime minister. Gaming executive Daniel Cheng examines some of the twists and turns of the leadership race and how they make impact the casino industry.