Gaming machine manufacturer and casino management systems firm Aristocrat Gaming has agreed a deal to sell its Japanese operation to Japan-based Fields Corporation. Under the agreement, the sale will incorporate Aristocrat’s entire operations in the Asian country, including KK Aristocrat Technologies and KK Spiky. News of the sale comes after Aristocrat in April announced that it was to exit the Japanese market in order to focus its effort on operations elsewhere. The decision to withdraw from the country led to the agreement with Fields, which itself identified an opportunity to utilize Aristocrat’s operations in Japan. More at iGaming Business

Reuters – A Japanese opposition politician on Thursday submitted a set of demands to ruling party lawmakers who are proposing a bill to legalise casino gambling, pushing back much-awaited parliamentary debate to next Wednesday at the earliest. The delay raises the risk of the bill failing to pass parliament this year, which would dampen the hopes of global casino firms keen to unlock a gaming market expected to be worth up to $40 billion a year in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Pro-casino lawmakers had aimed to begin debate in the lower house this week – before the end…

Macau Business Daily – Japanese pachinko hall operator Dynam Japan Holdings Co Ltd is still waiting for the government here to approve an application to operate ‘next generation pachinko machines’. The plan, according to Dynam’s chairman Yogi Sato, who was quoted by Hong Kong financial wires and media, is to place up to 100 of these new machines in a new hotel that is scheduled to open in September. While Mr. Sato did not name the property to open in September, Dynam said previously that it belongs to Macau Legend Development Ltd. The group’s Prague Harbourview hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf…

Reuters – Japan’s Universal Entertainment Corp has terminated a deal under which Century Properties Group Inc was to invest in its casino complex on Manila Bay and develop part of the $2-billion project, the Philippine developer said. Century Properties said in a statement it would contest a notice of termination received on Wednesday from the “Okada Group”, a reference to Tokyo-listed Universal Entertainment and other firms controlled by billionaire gaming magnate Kazuo Okada. Century officials said the Japanese group sought changes to terms of the agreement that would have eliminated its exclusive rights for the luxury commercial and residential portion…