• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Features
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Bullish Osaka to start IR partner search in spring

Jan 16, 2019 Newsdesk Japan, Latest News, Top of the deck  


Bullish Osaka to start IR partner search in spring

Osaka prefecture and city will start this spring the process of selecting commercial partners in its effort to host one of Japan’s first casino resorts. That is according to comments by Ichiro Matsui, Osaka’s governor, and based on information gathered by GGRAsia.

The Nikkei Asian Review newspaper separately reported this week that United States-based casino operator MGM Resorts International – majority owner of a casino business in Macau – was supportive of Osaka (pictured) bidding for a casino project.

“We will support Osaka in obtaining integrated resort certification,” Jim Murren, chairman of MGM Resorts, was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile in Yokohama, the incumbent mayor, Fumiko Hayashi, is reportedly yet to decide whether to bid for a casino resort – facilities known in Japan as integrated resorts or “IRs”. Ms Hayashi is currently said to be focusing her energies on the Yokohama City Council election, which is due on April 29.

According to GGRAsia’s correspondent, the nation’s Integrated Resorts Implementation Act requires local governments wishing to act as a host for a casino resort to make a formal resolution to that effect.

Under Japan’s liberalisation process for casino business, interested local governments must first select business partners. The respective proposals – to be put forward by the local governments with their selected business partners – will be evaluated by Japan’s national government. Only a maximum of three licences will be available in the first wave of market liberalisation.

A person identified as an aide to Japan’s Cabinet mentioned during the MGS Entertainment Show 2018 in Macau a possible launch date of 2025 for the first casino resort in Japan. Another Japanese commentator at the same event thought 2027 was the earliest it might happen.

In other news, it emerged that the Osaka authorities had secured a JPY330-million (US$3-million) budget for integrated resort promotion work in the financial-year 2019 draft budget.

The allocation is said to include money for the ‘request for proposal’ phase – that will encompass the private business partner selection process – and to establish what was termed an integrated resort development plan.

In contrast, Yokohama has apportioned – according to the Kanagawa Shimbun newspaper – a more modest JPY10 million for integrated resort “research” in its financial-year 2019 draft budget.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Pansy Ho sells off more stock in MGM Resorts for US$36mln
    Pansy Ho sells off more stock in MGM...

    Feb 23, 2021  

  • MGM China 4Q EBITDA positive, rev up 550pct sequentially
    MGM China 4Q EBITDA positive, rev up...

    Feb 11, 2021  

More news
  • Aristocrat to launch EGM-based responsible gaming features
    Aristocrat to launch EGM-based...

    Feb 26, 2021  

  • Suncity to open clubs at Londoner Macao, Lisboa Palace
    Suncity to open clubs at Londoner...

    Feb 26, 2021  


Latest News

Aristocrat to launch EGM-based responsible gaming features

Aristocrat to launch EGM-based responsible gaming features

Feb 26, 2021  

Casino slot machine maker and digital games provider Aristocrat Leisure Ltd says it plans to launch in the first quarter this year a new product with responsible gaming features, which has already...
Read More
Suncity to open clubs at Londoner Macao, Lisboa Palace

Suncity to open clubs at Londoner Macao, Lisboa Palace

Feb 26, 2021  

Tech supplier Crane ups forecast for 2021 core sales

Tech supplier Crane ups forecast for 2021 core sales

Feb 26, 2021  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Partners

Pick of the Day


US$53.4 million

Adjusted EBITDA reported by Asian casino operator Melco Resorts and Entertainment for the fourth quarter of 2020



Most Popular

  • Macau casino GGR soared in final days of CNY: brokeragesMacau casino GGR soared in final days of CNY: brokerages February 23, 2021
  • Pansy Ho sells off more stock in MGM Resorts for US$36mlnPansy Ho sells off more stock in MGM Resorts for US$36mln February 23, 2021
  • Macau VIP challenged by changes in China: Galaxy Ent bossMacau VIP challenged by changes in China: Galaxy Ent boss February 25, 2021
  • Galaxy Macau Phase 3 MICE to launch in stages says execGalaxy Macau Phase 3 MICE to launch in stages says exec February 24, 2021
  • Melco’s Lawrence Ho hopeful on Macau recovery in MarchMelco’s Lawrence Ho hopeful on Macau recovery in March February 26, 2021
Copyright 2014-2020 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us