With
the gaming industry tuned into the prospects of addressing Japan’s predicted US$
40 billion gaming and hospitality sector, the forthcoming Japan Gaming Congress
(May 10th – 11th, Grand Hyatt, Tokyo) has taken on huge significance. BMM
Testlabs’ John Rochester talks about the important of these kind of events, and
analyses the potential of the Japanese market.
How important do you think events
such as JgC are when a jurisdiction embarks on the regulation journey?
These
events are extremely important for jurisdictions looking to regulate their
market. They provide an opportunity for an exchange of ideas between those that
have considerable experience from around the world in setting up the
legislation, policies and standards for a regulated gaming market.
Can the Japan Gaming Congress
enhance the process?
The
JgC highlights the importance of why markets should be regulated. While Japan
is already formulating its vision for regulating its gaming market, the open
and progressive views of the global participants to the JgC will help the
Government further define their vision, and the steps necessary to convert that
vision into practice.
What will Japan contribute to the
gaming universe both from a qualitative and a quantitative perspective?
Japan
is a huge market for new gaming revenues. Its addition to the gaming universe
will bring its own set of requirements which also have the potential to grow
and enrich all global regulated markets. Japan's differences and similarities
within the industry will be watched and possibly modeled by existing or
emerging regulated markets.
Can you outline the key take outs
from the presentation you will be making at JgC?
BMM
will be discussing Technical Standards for Gaming Technology. The key emphasis
of the presentation is that gaming technical standards are necessary and need
to be formulated in relation to the governmental policy and regulations. Many
technical standards around the world have a common set of requirements, and
specific requirements, that reflect the policy and regulations of that
particular jurisdiction or market. The gaming technical standards outline how
the players interact with the technology as well as the integrity, auditability
and reportability of the technology. We will also discuss how the evolution of
gaming technology can be managed and approved.
What do you consider to be the key
drivers for the regulation of gaming in Japan - the desire to be competitive in
the region or revenues from gaming taxation?
The
drivers for regulation in Japan are multiple and complex. However, there
appears to be a strong demand for gaming services in Japan and taking all
drivers into consideration, the best way for that demand to be met is through a
regulated gaming market. This provides the best opportunity for player
fairness, harm minimization, accurate and transparent reporting for taxation
and business accountability.
