MGM focuses on Osaka integrated resort

The company believes that Osaka will be the first location to receive the green light to open an IR.

Japan.- Companies all over the world are setting their sights on the upcoming casino market in Japan. However, while it has not been established which cities will host the integrated resorts, MGM Resorts is confident that Osaka will be the first one to open a facility.

Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International, said to Bloomberg Dayberak: Middle East that the company is focusing on developing an integrated resort in Osaka. “We believe Osaka will be the first IR location,” he said.

“The government is very anxious to get the World Expo 2025 site in Osaka developed soon,” said Murren. The CEO added that the fact that the expo is in Osaka makes him give the city the edge over the other two IR locations, despite that none have been officially confirmed.

“I am confident Osaka will be one of the three (IR sites) and I am working hard for MGM to be the IR operator in Osaka,” Murren reiterated. “We’re meeting with Japanese companies and hope to form a Japanese consortium. We’re trying to outwork our competitors a little bit, so we’ll see,” he added.