Genting SP

Genting SP: The Straits Times notes, plans to open Japan’s first casino in Tokyo before the 2020 Olympics are becoming increasingly unlikely, with developers facing skyrocketing building costs and a city govt that no longer considers casino development an economic priority. Parliament yesterday began its autumn session, during which the initial casino Bill is due to be debated. Proponents hope to pass legislation by Nov that would allow pro-casino lawmakers to prepare a second, detailed proposal, which they hope will be approved next year. Previous Tokyo governors had supported plans for a casino. But current governor Yoichi Masuzoe, who took office in Feb, said in June that pursuing a casino was "not at the top" of his agenda. Tokyo government officials say the governor appears to be overwhelmed by preparations for the 2020 Olympics, and has put the casino plans on the backburner. Casino operators including Las Vegas Sands, Genting Singapore, MGM Resorts and Melco Crown Entertainment have all been positioning themselves as potential investors in what analysts say is one of the world's biggest untapped markets for this sort of gaming.