Konami Gaming says it has become the first casino equipment manufacturer to submit license applications to Japan’s Casino Regulatory Commission (JCRC), as the country continues to build out the regulatory framework for its integrated resort sector.
The Las Vegas-based gaming and systems subsidiary of Konami Group Corporation said it had filed across all applicable manufacturer licensing categories. The submissions do not constitute license approval, and the company did not disclose an expected timetable for the regulator’s review.
The filing comes as Japan prepares for the opening of its first integrated resort, MGM Osaka, which is scheduled to debut in 2030 on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay.
The project is being developed by Osaka IR KK, a joint venture established by MGM Resorts Japan and ORIX, after Osaka’s IR area development plan was approved by Japan’s land ministry in April 2023.
Japan’s casino licensing regime applies not only to IR operators but also to casino-related suppliers and other stakeholders. According to the JCRC, casino device manufacturers are required to obtain the relevant licenses, permissions or authorizations and are subject to regulatory checks intended to ensure the integrity and fairness of casino operations.
Under Japan’s IR Development Act, companies involved in the manufacture, import, sale or repair of casino-related devices must obtain JCRC permission according to business category. Manufacturing permission is also required for each manufacturing facility, while electronic or magnetic casino devices are subject to separate type approval.
“Konami’s early filing demonstrates our commitment and readiness to engage constructively with Japan’s regulatory framework from the outset,” said Lori Olk, senior vice president and chief compliance officer at Konami Gaming. “We have approached this process with a focus on transparency, preparation, and alignment with the stringent standards established by the JCRC.”
Konami said it has invested in localization, documentation and operational planning to meet Japan’s legal, regulatory and cultural requirements. The company said it supplies casino games and technology in more than 400 regulated markets worldwide.
Tom Jingoli, president and chief operating officer at Konami Gaming, said the application process involved coordination across multiple business units and jurisdictions. He added that the company remains focused on supporting Japan’s regulatory objectives and supplying compliant gaming products for the market.
