Gaming's elite to converge on Tokyo

LONDON (May 8) — 325 of gaming's most influential thought leaders and successful business people are making final preparations to attend next week's Japan Gaming Congress (JgC) which is taking place in Tokyo (14-16th May). The first JgC, which features over 50 leading authorities on gaming, politics and marketing and will deliver over 20 hours of insight, learning and networking, is on course to sell-out in its inaugural year.

Jo Mayer, Marketing Director responsible for Japan Gaming Congress said: "The response from the international gaming community has been exceptional. We will have over 30 nationalities present which I believe is an endorsement not only of the huge importance the industry places on this potential $20bn market but also of the calibre of the event which is being produced by the same team responsible for leading brands including ICE Totally Gaming, ICE Conferences, GiGse and the new look EiG which is taking place in October in Berlin. Many of gaming's leading brands including Solaire, JCM, Aruze and Latham & Watkins have shown their support for the event by agreeing important and high profile sponsorships.  There's definitely a momentum in Japan and JgC is positioned ideally for commercial organisations to benefit from the first mover advantage it undoubtedly offers."

The significance of the event has not been lost on the country's politicians with three House of Representatives from the LDP Party and Japan Restoration Party confirming their participation in the opening keynote discussion, taking place on Thursday 15th May. The three senior and influential politicians which comprise Takeshi Iwaya, Chief Secretary of IR GIREN and Member, House of Representatives, Liberal Democratic Party; Koichi Hagiuda, Member, House of Representatives, Liberal Democratic Party; and, Sakihito Ozawa, Member, House of Representatives, Japan Restoration Party will be providing their insight to Japan's framework for regulating land-based gaming which will include a discussion on what key areas the government is likely to consider during the legislative and regulatory process in order to ensure future progression and sustainability. 

Rory Credland, Senior Producer responsible for Japan Gaming Congress said: "Clearly timing has worked in our favour and to be in Tokyo when the debate on casino regulation is taking shape in the corridors of power is a unique opportunity. We have worked hard to put together a programme that really gets to the heart of the issues. To have one politician would be considered a success but to secure three is a major coup and a fantastic endorsement of the event."