Thanks to a supportive local government and business community, and an already available site for a large-scale MICE development, Osaka is among the favorites in the race for hosting one the nation’s first casino resorts.
The Japanese government legalized casino gambling in December 2016 as the first of a two-step legislative process that would pave the way for the development of three integrated resorts with Las Vegas-style casino gaming in the country. The government will now have to select the preferred locations of the future integrated resorts and the preferred developers and operators of those.
Murren said that he believes Osaka would be the first integrated resort location to be announced. The MGM Chief Executive further dwelt that they plan to “focus all [their] energy in Osaka” and win what is expected to be a clash of some of global gambling’s titans.
According to recent prefectural records, executives from 11 major gaming and hospitality companies have paid 25 courtesy visits to Osaka Governor Ichirō Matsui between 2012 and the spring of 2018. Macau casino giant Melco Resorts & Entertainment and its Las Vegas rival Las Vegas Sands are, too, among the notables that are eyeing Osaka.
Source: GMB / Casino News Daily
