Japan, one of the largest untapped gambling markets in the world, will have yet another delay on potentially passing legislation to authorize Las Vegas-style brick-and-mortar casinos.

According to a report from the Macau Daily Times, lawmakers in the island nation have decided not to pass the so-called Integrated Resort Facilities Promotion Bill at a legislative session beginning Jan. 4. Consequently, the bill likely will not pass before the House of Councilors election this summer, the report said.

In other words, this fall would be the earliest for the ban on casinos to be lifted.

It has been estimated that Japan’s casino industry could be worth $40 billion a year in gaming revenue, which would put it slightly below Macau’s peak.

A couple of years ago, there was ambition to legalize the casinos and see them built in time for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, but that ship has sailed.

Japan having a casino industry is still no sure bet, as the issue is a contentious one in the government. Some have expressed concern about gambling addiction.

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