At a recent press conference, Governor Matsui directly targeted the proposal that would require all Japan residents entering casinos to present their MyNumber identification card: "MyNumber cards are not yet in common use. If everyone possessed these cards, I’d say it’s fine. Isn’t it strange to require something for entry that is not yet common?”
As of May of this year, only 9 % of Japan residents have acquired a MyNumber card, and the new system is deeply unpopular.
Matsui also outlined his own views of gambling addiction, which to him is limited to people who lose the ability to maintain themselves in society. He pointed out that there is already a lot of gambling addiction in Japan, but there is also a "double standard” among the ministries regarding the classification of pachinko as a form of gambling. He believes that the increased political focus on addiction will improve the social situation beyond current levels.
Governor Matsui explained to the media that, as a practical matter, he aims to have the Yumeshima IR open its doors in 2023 or 2024, but he noted that he does not support a potential rival bid by Izumisano city, a local government within the prefecture which has also expressed interested in hosting an IR.
Source: GMB / AG Brief
