Wynn Resorts drops Osaka IR race

Wynn Resorts steps down on its Osaka plan and instead focus on the Kanto Region.

Japan.- Osaka was the front-runner in the race to host Japan’s first integrated casino resorts up until now. However, several major casino operators in recent months abandoned their development plans for the city to focus their efforts elsewhere.

Las Vegas Sands was the first to abandon its Osaka plan and to announce its commitment to Yokohama and Tokyo. Wynn Resorts, also confirmed that it will no longer pursue development opportunities in Osaka. Instead, they would look for another host for its integrated resort; hoping to win one of the three casino licenses still up for grabs from the Japanese government.

Wynn Resorts Ltd has confirmed in a statement that it will no longer vie to be chosen as a private-sector partner for a casino resort bid in the Japanese city and prefecture of Osaka. The company is instead now focused on the Kanto region, which includes Tokyo. “Wynn Resorts is grateful for the many months of positive dialogue with the city of Osaka and its citizens; we appreciate the gracious hospitality we have received from them.”

Kanto is an area of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. The region includes the Greater Tokyo Area and encompasses seven prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa.

In June, Wynn Resorts was publicly identified as one of seven entities to submit a request-for-concept (RFC) to host a large-scale IR in Osaka.

Wynn Resorts is the third major international operator to pass up the chance to invest in the city.