Japan Considering Pushing On with Two More Integrated Resorts

Originally, Japan was looking to introduce three integrated resorts through a law passed in 2018, but the ensuing events made it harder to see even a single project realized, with issues such as geopolitical as well as economic challenges getting in the way.

Not to mention a global pandemic that put tourism to a grinding halt. The pandemic arguably led to an increase in the number of gambling addicts in the country, in the absence of land-based venues, and a surge in online gambling.

More Prefectures Potentially Ready to Join IR Rush in Japan

As a result, only the MGM Osaka will be seeing the light of day in Japan in the immediate future, but all may not be lost as, according to a report by Hokkaido Shimbun indicates that the Japanese government may now be willing to launch a new round of license applications for two more projects – as per the original law.

In the meantime, Japan is also toughening its stance on online casinos, which could indicate that there are more land-based developments coming in.

The government is acting, supposedly, on good authority, too, as it has already reached out to some of the previous bidders – the prefectures that were vying to host a future casino resort project, with Hokkaido one of those prefectures.

Tokyo could be another potential venue, as the capital is well-connected and international travelers tend to arrive there first, making it easy to get to a casino. With 37 million people locally, Tokyo is also an in-demand city.

However, there has been no actual bid from the capital’s authorities to try and secure one of the integrated resorts, hence why Hokkaido, Osaka, and Yokohama will emerge as potential winners.

Hokkaido may indeed emerge as another worthwhile location for a future integrated resort in Japan, to arrive with Yokohama a close second. The local report has suggested that these two prefectures are indeed very likely to seek the permit necessary to build one of the two available projects.

Bidders for New Integrated Resorts Will Have to Come from the Private Sector

Of course, there are other considerations, such as securing foreign investors and experienced operators of such properties. Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment and Rush Street Japan, Hard Rock International, and others could still be looking to push forward, but there are other locations opening up at the same time, and it will be a calculated risk for everyone interested.

Since 2018, the United Arab Emirates has introduced its own legislation, with Wynn Resorts becoming the first company to have secured a local license and to be due to open the region’s first integrated resort with a casino in 2027. MGM Resorts International is a close second.

Japan is still a fantastic opportunity for investors, but the field is much more competitive today than it was in 2018.