Casino News: Asian Gambling Market About To Ignite

The Asian gambling market looks set to explode, as more nations prepare to legalise casinos. After several exceptionally profitable ventures in Macau and Singapore, where Las Vegas-style casinos were built, all eyes are firmly on what could be one of the most lucrative gaming markets in the world. In Macau, casino revenue was an incredible four-times higher than the Las Vegas strip. It grew an incredible 46% in the first nine months of 2011 alone.

Enthusiasm has been mounting, especially in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines. The whole area is softening its strict stance on gambling, and the Japanese government is being urged to allow casinos to open.Masayoshi Oiwane, who runs the Tokyo-based Japan Casino School, says “Now is the moment when casinos are most likely to be legalised. Casinos would lead to a burst of rebuilding.” 

Currently, Japanese casino lovers must leave the island to play overseas. Oiwane’s school trains pupils to be croupiers, to work on cruise ships and in casinos outside of Japan.

Opening and building casinos could be a profitable moneymaker for Japan, especially after recent events. The north east of the country recently suffered a tsunami, earthquake, and nuclear meltdown -- opening casinos in this hard-hit region could be a solution to getting it back on track.

Chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands, Sheldon Anderson says “If one makes noises about legalising gaming, the other is going to jump right in.” He predicts that both Japan and South Korea will allow casino resorts by this time next year. And, residents of the Taiwanese island of Matsu will soon vote on a proposal to legalise casinos.