Published on: December 19, 2024, 02:19h.
Last updated on: December 19, 2024, 02:19h.
In Japan casino news, the Supreme Court of Japan has upheld a four-year prison sentence for a former lawmaker convicted of accepting bribes related to integrated resort (IR) licenses. The National Diet of Japan has also approved the nominees for the next casino commission in the country.
According to reports from Japan, the Supreme Court of Japan rejected a plea from former politician Tsukasa Akimoto to reduce his prison sentence. Akimoto was prosecuted in 2019 for accepting gifts from a Chinese online gaming firm.
Akimoto was convicted of accepting cash, airfare, and hotel stays from 500.com, a company that facilitates online lottery and sports gambling games in China. 500.com, now known as Bit Mining Ltd., was indicted by the U.S. federal government last month for bribing foreign officials in Japan.
500.com was part of a consortium trying to secure an IR license in Japan for a casino in Hokkaido or Okinawa. However, due to delays in Japan’s gaming regulations, most bids, including 500.com’s, were withdrawn.
MGM Resorts International and Orix Corporation are working on an $8 billion project in Osaka on Yumeshima Island. MGM Osaka is expected to open in late 2030.
The Japanese Supreme Court maintained Akimoto’s four-year prison sentence and fined him JPY7.6 million (US$48,284).
Commission Establishment
In other Japan casino news, the National Diet approved the formation of the Japan Casino Regulatory Commission. The five-member panel is tasked with overseeing the establishment and operation of casino facilities in the country.
Takafumi Sato, a prosecutor in Takamatsu, was approved as the next chair of the regulatory agency. He will succeed Michio Kitamura starting January 7, 2025.
Junichi Kakimizu, a former head of the National Tax College, will replace Hiroyuki Ujikane on the Casino Regulatory Commission next month. Commissioners Hirofumi Kitamura and Keiko Ishikawa will continue their terms, while Watari Michiko is set for reappointment.