Nine foreign companies interested in Yokohama

International operators were among the 22 companies that joined the RFI process for an IR development in the city.

Japan.- The casino industry is expected to soon land in Japan and Yokohama is set to be a top gambling destination. That’s why the municipal authorities have started a request for information (RFI) process that’s drawn 22 companies’ interest, nine of which are foreign integrated resort (IR) operators.

All companies are expected to submit reports and other documents between September 10th and September 21st in order to get the local government to better know how an IR works and the best way to develop it. Authorities are expected to compile their own report by March 2019 and then determine if they want to push for an IR bid.

Mayor Fumiko Hayashi insists on saying there’s nothing determined yet regarding a potential IR bid, but experts believe Yokohama to be among the main candidates for the casino industry to arrive in Japan, next to the Osaka, Nagasaki and Hokkaido areas. She also stands by her position on the matter, which was described as a “blank slate,” while the city remains divided on the construction of an integrated resort in the city.