Japan has extended a deadline to submit bids to operate casino resorts by a further nine months.
The July 2021 deadline has been pushed back to 28 April, 2022, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Japan Tourism Agency said.
Licenses are up for grabs for integrated resorts in the country, combining casinos, hotels, entertainment and retail facilities.
Cities keen to host one of the IRs include Tokyo, Osaka and Nagasaki.
A maximum of three casino resorts will be allowed in the first phase.
A newly revised draft policy issued by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism details new operational guidelines relating to the containment of infectious diseases inside casino resorts.
It also sets out strict rules on casino companies interacting with government officials.
This came about after a bribery case which is still being investigated, implicating a senior politician.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
