The Japanese government is planning to legalize casino gambling next year in an effort to boost tourism and increase tax revenues. Seiko Noda, who heads the ruling Liberal Democrat parties study group that is drafting the legislation, said the aim was to pass a bill by the end of the next ordinary Diet session in June 2008.

Noda went on to say that the proposal was part of a broader initiative to attract more foreigners, adding that Japan would study the possibility of charging the local population an entrance fee to discourage visits by lower-income consumers.

Japan’s initiative to deregulate casinos comes as Macao has overtaken Las Vegas in casino revenues, and Singapore prepares to open its first casino resorts.

Under the current plan, casinos in Japan would be entertainment complexes combining a range of facilities such as theme parks, theatres, shops, restaurants and hotels to dispel gambling’s negative image.

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