Japan Racing Association says horse racing to continue without spectators
The Japan Racing Association (JRA) announced on Wednesday that it will continue to hold horse racing events with no spectators after a state of emergency was declared under the Novel Coronavirus Special Measures law. The Sakura prize of the 3-year...
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Smoking rooms the new norm as IRs, pachinko to be impacted by Japan indoor smoking ban
On 1 April 2020, a law in Japan amending a section of the Health Promotion Law was fully implemented. According to the revised law, it is now necessary to set up a special smoking room in facilities used by many...
Pachinko operator Okura Holdings says no plans to shut halls
Okura Holdings, one of Japan’s largest pachinko operators, stated on Wednesday that it has no plans to shutter any of its 17 pachinko halls after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared a state of emergency. As previously reported by Inside...
2020: Japan IR decision time
In the third and final part of our deep dive into the Japan IR licensing process, we examine the remaining 16 operator candidates – some big, some small, some highly experienced, some not, some cashed up, some less so –...
Feeling the heat
With concerns over large gatherings of people essentially shutting down the world’s casino industry, a new camera system that combines facial recognition with temperature detection could provide a long-term solution. An invisible enemy is currently depriving people of their daily...
Nagasaki Prefecture publishes Kyushu-Nagasaki IR Basic Concept as RFP process nears
Nagasaki prefecture published on Monday the Kyushu-Nagasaki IR Basic Concept and overview as it edges closer to selecting its operator partner. The basic policy draft was announced last October and describes the functions and economic ripple effects of a Kyushu/Nagasaki...
Japan to declare state of emergency for Tokyo, Kanagawa, Osaka and four other prefectures
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced on Monday that he will declare a state of emergency on Tuesday 7 April 2020 based on Japan’s Special Measures Law in response to COVID-19. The state of emergency will apply to Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama,...
Sky Racing World launches Japan racing simulcasting to US audiences
Sky Racing World, a US-based subsidiary of Australian gaming and racing giant Tabcorp, is set to launch a new simulcasting product that will make Japan National Association of Racing (NAR) horse racing available to North American audiences. The service will...
