{"id":13832,"date":"2014-06-13T12:11:08","date_gmt":"2014-06-13T20:11:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/?p=13832"},"modified":"2020-09-08T06:14:58","modified_gmt":"2020-09-08T14:14:58","slug":"japan-promises-promises-double-standard-in-iowa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/japan-promises-promises-double-standard-in-iowa\/","title":{"rendered":"Japan: Promises, promises; Double-standard in Iowa"},"content":{"rendered":"

Democratic Party<\/strong> lawmaker Yosuke Kondo<\/strong> has casino-legalization in Japan<\/strong> legislation wrapped around his pinkie like a piece of string. Prime
\n\"kondo_1\"<\/a>Minister Shinzo Abe<\/strong> may favor enabling legislation but right now Kondo holds the trump card. The bill is in a committee of which he is one of the two senior directors. As such, he can thwart debate, which hasn’t started yet. For the moment, Kondo is holding it hostage to demands. He wants various government officials, including the chief cabinet secretary, made available for cross-examination on the casino matter.<\/p>\n

And the longer Kondo digs in, the less likely it is that casinos will be approved this year. He says his goal is for the bill to receive adequate discussion, which is pretty rich when he’s the one preventing any debate from taking place. A June 18 start of discussion has been mooted, but parliament adjourns on June 22, which is cutting it awfully close. And if the debate doesn’t start by the\u00a022nd, that’s the ball game. There’s no bringing it up in the fall emergency session.<\/p>\n

For all his delaying tactics, Kondo claims not to be opposed to casinos in Japan. But despite\u00a0the swagger of Las Vegas Sands<\/strong>, Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts International, Melco Crown Entertainment<\/strong> and Caesars Entertainment<\/strong>, he’s the man with the power right now.<\/p>\n

A question for you<\/strong>. FinCEN<\/strong> director Jennifer Shasky Calvery<\/strong> “told a Las Vegas<\/strong> audience Thursday the casino industry can discover the origins of a high roller\u2019s bankroll<\/a> in the same way a casino host determines that customer\u2019s favorite wine or music preferences.” What do you think?<\/em> Is it a necessary safeguard against criminal activity or an invasion of privacy? I’ll admit to having severe qualms about casinos conducting background checks on their customers.<\/p>\n