Inside Asian Gaming

IAG JAN 2021年1月 亞博匯 54 J apan is on its way to developing its first IRs. One of the primary demands accompanying this legislation is addressing the issue of problem gambling. Recovery Support Network (RSN) is a non- profit organization focused on pachinko addiction. Its chairman, Naoyuki Nishimura M.D., is a licensed psychiatrist and also chairs Japan Sustainable Responsible Gaming (JSRG), which is focused on gambling dependency in a broader sense and has one eye on the impending birth of IRs. In the first of a two-part interview, Dr Nishimura discusses RSN’s activities. Shintaro Kamimura: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Needless to say, the effects of COVID-19 have been huge. Have you noticed any differences in call volume? Naoyuki Nishimura: This year we received about 4,000 calls. In 2019 we received about 5,200 and in 2018 there were 5,800. Part of the reason for the drop was the decrease in operating hours by the pachinko halls, but I believe the main factor is that the number of pachinko halls and players are decreasing each year. SK: How did RSN get started? NN: In 2004, there were many machines that were really fun for players and there started to be a focus on the JAPAN Dr Naoyuki Nishimura Chairman of the Recovery Support Network Recovery Support Network會長西村直之