Until recently, the Shenzhen-based company was involved in a campaign to build an integrated resort in Hokkaido Province.<\/p>\n
Since then, five more politicians, including former defense minister Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya, have been accused of accepting bribes by a former 500.com consultant.<\/p>\n
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All initially denied the allegations, although on Monday, one — Mikio Shimoji — suddenly changed his tune, admitting his office had received US$9,250 from 500.com as a donation for the 2017 general election campaign.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
It is strictly illegal for Japanese lawmakers to receive political donations from foreign companies or individuals.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a press conference in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, Mikio Shimoji, 58, said he would consider resigning from his party, Nippon Ishin no Kai.<\/p>\n
The scandal has been a blow for a government that has long sought to sell the idea of casinos and their economic benefits to a largely skeptical populace.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Despite a deepening corruption scandal that has ensnared six pro-casino lawmakers, Japan is continuing to lay the groundwork for its forthcoming casino market. On Tuesday, the national government announced the official establishment of an independent casino control commission to license and regulate the sector. The new body will meet for the first time on Friday. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":123750,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[69069,21],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Japan Establishes Casino Control Commission as Bribery Scandal Rages<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n