During the ASEAN Gaming Summit, Joji Kokuro, managing director of Bay City Ventures and gaming technology specialist, hinted at the possibility of Japan launching another tender for the construction of a gaming resort in Osaka.
The proposed project, estimated at around $13.5 billion, is set to be developed in collaboration with US casino operator MGM Resorts International and local partner Orix Corp. The anticipated opening of the casino is slated for the fall of 2030.
However, Kokuro expressed concerns about potential tensions between the government and the operator. He noted that when MGM's proposal for Osaka was initially approved, the Japan Tourism Organization introduced additional conditions beyond the previously agreed terms. Despite this, the governor of Osaka remains optimistic about commencing full-scale construction of the resort by next spring.
It's worth noting that MGM holds an opt-out clause valid until 2026. This clause allows the company to withdraw from the project, potentially citing reasons such as the failure of tourism in the Osaka region to recover to pre-Covid levels.
