AGA: Casinos a worthwhile investment
Casino advocates in Japan, who recently resubmitted a stalled gaming bill to the Japanese parliament, are getting plenty of support from the U.S. industry.
A meeting in Tokyo included members of the American Gaming Association and executives of major casino companies including the Las Vegas Sands Corp. and MGM Resorts International. They said the incidence of social ills related to gambling—including gambling addiction, underage gambling and crime—is not significant and more than balanced by the benefits of legal gaming halls. In fact, they argued, some studies show legal casinos reduce levels of problem gambling.
“It can be hard operating in a vacuum,” said Sara Rayme, senior vice president of public affairs for the AGA. “We are not advocating any specific action, just providing information and acting as a resource.”
The organization also welcomed members of the Japanese Diet, or parliament, to Washington, D.C. in April, when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the U.S.
“The Japanese Diet members are asking the right questions,” Rayme told CDC Gaming Reports. “They want to know about social and economic factors, market saturation, all the right things.”
“Regarding concerns about social costs such as addiction and crime—what we have seen in the U.S. is that the fears have been overblown and the benefits have won the day,” AGA President Geoff Freeman told reporters during the visit.
