• 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

Tomakomai priority but Hokkaido yet to confirm casino bid

Jan 23, 2019 Newsdesk Japan, Latest News, Top of the deck  


Tomakomai priority but Hokkaido yet to confirm casino bid

An advisory panel to Hokkaido prefecture’s government has again identified Tomakomai City (pictured), an industrial port on the south coast of the most northerly of Japan’s main islands, as the preferred site for a so-called integrated resort (IR) featuring a casino.

As a result of the reiterated recommendation, the prefecture has given Tomakomai “priority status” as a possible casino host site, according to GGRAsia’s correspondent.

But Hokkaido prefecture has yet to make a formal decision about whether it wishes to bid to the national government to host one of the initial three casino licences allowed in the first phase of Japan’s casino industry liberalisation.

The recommendation regarding Tomakomai was made at the fourth meeting – held on Monday – of a panel of experts said to be assisting the local government.

At the third meeting in October of the expert panel, it had identified Tomakomai as the preferred Hokkaido bid site because of its proximity to the tourism and winter sports centre city of Sapporo and to New Chitose Airport.

A potential site for a Tomakomai resort is said to be only 10 minutes by road from the air hub.

Several major United States-based casino companies have already made formal presentations regarding their interest in Tomakomai.

Caesars Entertainment Corp confirmed recently to GGRAsia that the group had responded to a “formal request for information” (RFI) by the authorities in that city.

At around the same time, Hard Rock International Inc had revealed a concept for a Tomakomai resort that included a guitar-shaped hotel tower based on Hard Rock’s signature branding.

Clairvest Group Inc, a private equity firm from Canada, has also discussed with locals its interest in being involved in a Tomakomai scheme.

Japan-based tourism and hospitality firm Kamori Kanko Co Ltd has proposed developing a casino resort at another Hokkaido location previously considered by the local government’s expert panel. It is Rusutsu Village, in Shiribeshi sub-prefecture, in the centre of the southwestern portion of Hokkaido island.

According to GGRAsia’s correspondent, Rusutsu had not been given “priority status” by the local government, on the basis that the economic value of a Tomakomai project was likely to be greater than that for either Rusutsu or Kushiro City – the latter a settlement on the southeast coast of Hokkaido that had also been mentioned as a candidate for a casino resort.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Grand Korea to slim China marketing team, Japan offices
    Grand Korea to slim China marketing...

    Dec 29, 2022  

  • Hokkaido’s Tomakomai reprises IR policy idea
    Hokkaido’s Tomakomai reprises IR...

    Dec 19, 2022  

More news
  • Alvin Chau and prosecution appeal court sentence
    Alvin Chau and prosecution appeal court...

    Feb 08, 2023  

  • LVS ranked by S&P as most sustainable casino sector firm
    LVS ranked by S&P as most...

    Feb 08, 2023  


Latest News

Alvin Chau and prosecution appeal court sentence

Alvin Chau and prosecution appeal court sentence

Feb 08, 2023  

The defence and the prosecution have respectively appealed against a Macau court’s sentencing decision that encompassed Alvin Chau Cheok Wa, former boss of now-defunct Macau casino junket...
Read More
LVS ranked by S&P as most sustainable casino sector firm

LVS ranked by S&P as most sustainable casino sector...

Feb 08, 2023  

Crane aims to complete split into 2 listed entities by April 3

Crane aims to complete split into 2 listed entities by...

Feb 08, 2023  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day

"The company will scrutinise the [26 Capital] lawsuit and properly deal with it"

Universal Entertainment

Japanese firm that controls the Okada Manila casino resort in the Philippines



Most Popular

  • Macau mulls subsidy of up to US$62 per overseas visitorMacau mulls subsidy of up to US$62 per overseas visitor February 7, 2023
  • Macau early Feb average daily GGR higher than Jan: JPMMacau early Feb average daily GGR higher than Jan: JPM February 6, 2023
  • Ex-junket boss Levo Chan aimed to go to Taiwan: policeEx-junket boss Levo Chan aimed to go to Taiwan: police February 7, 2023
  • SPAC partner in Okada Manila listing sues Universal Ent sideSPAC partner in Okada Manila listing sues Universal Ent side February 7, 2023
Copyright 2014-2023 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us