Clarion offer first mover advantage with launch of inaugural Japan Gaming Congress

LONDON (11 December) – ­Just days after the submission of a bill to allow casinos in Japan, Clarion Events has announced details of the first Japan Gaming Congress (JgC) scheduled to be held in Tokyo across 14th/15th/16th May 2014 and featuring key note speaker Michael Leven, President and Chief Operating Officer of Las Vegas Sands. The high profile event, which is being delivered by the team of gaming experts behind ICE Totally Gaming, ICE Conferences, EiG and GiGse, will be the first opportunity for the main stakeholders and government officials to discuss the optimal regulatory and investment models to develop casino resorts in the country.

Kate Chambers, Portfolio Director at Clarion Events, said: “Casino advocates have been waiting ten years for a law to bring resort-scale gambling to the world’s third largest economy. The decision by Japanese lawmakers to submit a bill to the DIET aimed at legalising casino gambling in the country is viewed by key stakeholders as a significant step forward and one which is expected to have an overarching positive impact on the whole economy.  

"With the DIET likely to vote on the bill in Q2 of 2014 the Congress will offer a unique opportunity for delegates to join key government officials, operators and legal experts as they provide first-hand experiences on the main points of the proposed regulatory frameworks, which will help in planning entry strategy into the market accordingly. We are expecting a high level of interest as Japan is a much sought after market for the gambling community.”

Michael Leven, President and Chief Operating Officer of Las Vegas Sands, who will be speaking at JgC, said: “With Japanese lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party submitting a bill to legalise casinos to parliament last week, Clarion’s Japan Gaming Congress in May next year is extremely timely and represents a unique opportunity for dialogue on the key requirements needed to successfully enter into the Japanese market".

The Congress will focus on key issues such as the implementation of the IR model in Japan, local and international collaboration, political landscape and legislative process, licensing procedures for gaming manufacturers and the influence of the pachinko industry on the casino market in Japan.

The Japan Gaming Congress will take place in Tokyo on 14-16 May 2014.


To register your interest and to receive further information please contact Rory.Credland@clarionevents.com or Kate.Chambers@clarionevents.com