• 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
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • iGaming
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Casino could help Osaka host Formula 1 race: mayor

Feb 25, 2019 Newsdesk Japan, Latest News, Top of the deck  


Casino could help Osaka host Formula 1 race: mayor

Hosting a casino in Osaka could help the metropolis on Japan’s east coast to gain rights to run a Formula One Grand Prix motor race.

That is according to Osaka mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura, as quoted by The Mainichi newspaper on Friday.

The official indicated that hosting such a race could be part of a wider plan to boost overseas tourism to Osaka, Japan’s third city in terms of population.

A keystone of the overall approach was other infrastructure – including high-quality roads – that would be likely to be developed as part of Osaka’s successful bid, confirmed in November, to host the World Expo 2025.

The artificial island of Yumeshima will be used to host the World Expo. The same area has also been identified by the city authorities as the likely venue for a casino resort, should the national government approve the latter.

In late November, Japanese brokerage Nomura said it expected Osaka’s success in being selected for World Expo 2025 would pave the way for a casino resort in the Japanese city, largely because the event will require infrastructure that can later be utilised to support a large-scale gaming facility.

Mayor Yoshimura indicated in his latest comments that any Formula One Grand Prix hosted in Osaka might be a street circuit around Yumeshima.

Several prominent casino jurisdictions – Monaco and Singapore – also currently hold street races as part of the Formula One tour.

“If we can attract investment from the world, we’ll be able to achieve things we currently can’t realise in Japan. Racing on a street circuit might be achievable at Yumeshima,” Mr Yoshimura was quoted by the news outlet as saying.

It was reported earlier this month that Osaka was looking for circa US$8.5 billion in capital investment from any casino project. Days before, on its fourth-quarter and full-year earnings call, United States-based casino firm MGM Resorts International – parent of Macau casino operator MGM China Holdings Ltd – said it was “committed now to the mayor and to the governor of Osaka” in its wish to pursue a casino project, subject to approval by Japan’s national authorities.

Japan currently hosts a single Formula One Grand Prix annually, at the Suzuka racing circuit (pictured) in Mie prefecture on the east coast of Honshu, the main and largest island of Japan, and approximately 100 kilometres (62 miles) southeast of Osaka. This year’s race will be held in October.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Japan govt nods MGM-Orix, Osaka govt deal for IR scheme
    Japan govt nods MGM-Orix, Osaka govt...

    Sep 25, 2023  

  • Osaka IR land anti-liquefaction initial cost down 38pct
    Osaka IR land anti-liquefaction initial...

    Sep 20, 2023  

More news
  • Any Macau clamp on money changing may hurt GGR: pundits
    Any Macau clamp on money changing may...

    Sep 25, 2023  

  • 26 Capital to delist, liquidate as Okada Manila merger fails
    26 Capital to delist, liquidate as...

    Sep 25, 2023  


Latest News

Any Macau clamp on money changing may hurt GGR: pundits

Any Macau clamp on money changing may hurt GGR: pundits

Sep 25, 2023  

Criminalisation of unlicensed money exchange in Macau is a complex topic and would need careful handling to respect the Chinese authorities’ wish to control cross-border currency flow, while...
Read More
26 Capital to delist, liquidate as Okada Manila merger fails

26 Capital to delist, liquidate as Okada Manila merger

Sep 25, 2023  

Japan govt nods MGM-Orix, Osaka govt deal for IR scheme

Japan govt nods MGM-Orix, Osaka govt deal for IR scheme

Sep 25, 2023  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day

"We [estimate] that these illegal [currency exchange] transactions account for somewhere between 50 percent to 60 percent [of Macau's annual gross gaming revenue]”

Ben Lee

Managing partner at IGamiX Management and Consulting



Most Popular

  • Any Macau clamp on money changing may hurt GGR: punditsAny Macau clamp on money changing may hurt GGR: pundits September 25, 2023
  • Strong Macau hotel bookings for autumn Golden WeekStrong Macau hotel bookings for autumn Golden Week September 22, 2023
  • Big players, tourists due for Golden Week say Macau expertsBig players, tourists due for Golden Week say Macau experts September 22, 2023
  • Londoner Macao’s Harry Potter exhibition to open Dec 15Londoner Macao’s Harry Potter exhibition to… September 22, 2023
Copyright 2014-2023 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us