• 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

Casinos Austria Japan unit shapes Nagasaki IR consortium

Jul 03, 2019 Newsdesk Japan, Latest News, Top of the deck  


Casinos Austria Japan unit shapes Nagasaki IR consortium

The Japan unit of global gaming operator Casinos Austria International told GGRAsia it is in the process of forming a consortium for a potential casino resort at Sasebo in Nagasaki prefecture. The experience of the Casinos Austria group in gaming operations in Europe, Egypt in North Africa, and in Australia, gave the brand confidence regarding its appeal in Japan, despite competition from other international operators for a casino permit in that country.

So said Akio Hayashi (pictured), Casinos Austria International Japan Inc’s chief executive, in an interview with us.

“We’re just in the beginning of the formation of a consortium,” Mr Hayashi said. He noted there were Japanese business partners in the likely consortium that were interested in “taking part in infrastructure support” for a possible casino complex, facilities referred to in Japan as integrated resorts or “IRs”. He declined to identify the prospective partners in the consortium.

Nagasaki prefecture is one of the “most advanced” regions in Japan in terms of garnering public support for the idea of hosting a casino resort, said the prefecture’s governor Hodo Nakamura at a seminar in Sasebo last week, called Kyushu-Nagasaki IR Business Connect.  A maximum of three licences are to be issued in Japan in a first phase of market liberalisation.

A 30-hectare [74-acre] site at the Huis Ten Bosch amusement park in Sasebo city, is the preferred location of the local-government authorities in the Nagasaki area. Several companies – including foreign casino firms - made pitches during the Kyushu-Nagasaki IR Business Connect seminar on why they would respectively make a good choice as commercial partner for a casino venture locally.

Casinos Austria’s Mr Hayashi said the group was also considering the locally-preferred location and wanted – as a complement to a casino – to create an IR with a large-scale facility for music performance, a spa, and facilities for medical tourism business.

Mr Hayashi mentioned during his presentation at the Sasebo seminar that Casinos Austria intended to work with high-profile Japanese architect Kengo Kuma – creator of the new national stadium to be used for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics – in Casino Austria’s architectural design for its desired Nagasaki IR.

The executive said that in relation to responsible management of casino gambling – a focus of Japanese lawmakers and much-discussed among the public – the parent firm was already abiding by “strict regulations”, in the regulated markets where it operates.

Mr Hayashi remarked to us: “Since we have experience in fitting with all those different environments and cultures, we are confident that those experiences would work for the Japan bid as well.” The group envisaged the casino would have VIP gaming as well as the mass-market sort, he added.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Nagasaki to start casino RFP January 7, says governor
    Nagasaki to start casino RFP January 7,...

    Dec 28, 2020  

  • Nagasaki open to fresh IR-partner candidates, says official
    Nagasaki open to fresh IR-partner...

    Dec 11, 2020  

More news
  • Digital yuan eventually for Macau mass bets mulls Bernstein
    Digital yuan eventually for Macau mass...

    Jan 22, 2021  

  • Macau Covid-19 case no bar to mainland travel ties
    Macau Covid-19 case no bar to mainland...

    Jan 22, 2021  


Latest News

Digital yuan eventually for Macau mass bets mulls Bernstein

Digital yuan eventually for Macau mass bets mulls Bernstein

Jan 22, 2021  

Were China’s central government-backed digital yuan (CNY) to be adopted in Macau for casino chip transactions, it could in the long run benefit mass and premium-mass play, as cross-border money...
Read More
Macau Covid-19 case no bar to mainland travel ties

Macau Covid-19 case no bar to mainland travel ties

Jan 22, 2021  

Mohegan seeks govt nod to delay Inspire opening

Mohegan seeks govt nod to delay Inspire opening

Jan 22, 2021  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Partners

Pick of the Day

"The entire company is eagerly anticipating the launch of our newest themed destination – The Londoner Macao"

Wilfred Wong Ying Wai

President of Macau-based casino operator Sands China



Most Popular

  • Sands China sixth Macau op to pledge staff extra paymentSands China sixth Macau op to pledge staff extra payment January 21, 2021
  • Londoner Macao first phase launch Feb 8 says Sands ChinaLondoner Macao first phase launch Feb 8 says Sands China January 21, 2021
  • Wynn and Melco also flag bonus for Macau staffWynn and Melco also flag bonus for Macau staff January 19, 2021
  • Investors see 2H Macau gain, rebound 2022: BernsteinInvestors see 2H Macau gain, rebound 2022: Bernstein January 19, 2021
  • Melco likely to take on more debt for expansion: Moody’sMelco likely to take on more debt for expansion: Moody’s January 20, 2021
Copyright 2014-2020 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us