Casino operators target Osaka

International companies have approached the local community after the enactment of the IR Implementation Bill.

Japan.- As the Japanese Legislature has just passed the necessary laws to get the casino segment regulated, international operators are looking forward to landing their own licences in the country. That’s why foreign companies have approached the community in Osaka by sponsoring local festivals or making donations to regions affected by the recent earthquake, proving their interest for a venue in the area.

At the recent Tenjin Matsuri, one of three major festivals in Japan, MGM Resorts International chairman Jim Murren was spotted among the attendees. The operator decided to sponsor the event as they consider Osaka to be in a perfect position as a major candidate to host one of the potential urban integrated resorts.

Osaka is the front-runner to obtain one of the three casino licences that will be available in Japan but will face opposition from different regions. Main rivals are Nagasaki, Hokkaido and Yokohama, but neighbouring prefecture Wakayama and some other jurisdictions are also considering pushing for their own gaming venue to be installed.

In addition to MGM’s interest, it is expected that Melco Entertainment would invest US$10 billion to build an IR in Osaka, where it expects to win a licence should it be chosen as a casino location. “Rarely do you find a first-world country like Japan with the infrastructure, tech and people already in place, yet the potential still so big,” casino mogul Lawrence Ho said recently.