Japan Could Add Two More Casino Proposals By Late 2027

• Hokkaido, Tokyo rumored to be interested in being casino homes
• News surfaces as MGM Osaka construction ramps up

Japan could start a new round of bidding casino licenses later this year with the aim of signing off on two more integrated resorts by the end of 2027.

A Tuesday report by Hokkaido Shimbun indicates the Japanese government is looking for avenues to capitalize on the 2018 law that paves the way for up to three casino hotels to operate in the country. One of those projects is already spoken for in the form of MGM Osaka — to date the only approved casino permit in the nation.

When the government conducted an unofficial survey of intentions in November last year, it was also found that several prefectures, including Hokkaido, which postponed the application for certification, responded that they were ‘interested,’” reports Hokkaido Shimbun.

The article also notes that Tokyo – the capitol city and one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world — is also considering renewing its flirtation with becoming a host city to a gaming venue.

Tokyo Could Galvanize Japan Casino Landscape

When the Japan integrated resort process  — one stymied by the coronavirus pandemic and lack of regulatory clarity, started in 2019, Tokyo was widely viewed as the golden goose. That’s understandable because the greater Tokyo area is home to more 37 million people, making it a highly desirable location for a gaming venue.

Should Tokyo prove it’s committed to welcoming a casino resort, that could touch off a new round of intense bidding among the industry’s giants because credible long-term growth outlets outside of Las Vegas, Macau, and Singapore are hard to come by.

Likely increasing the allure of Tokyo for multi-national casino operators is the fact that licensing in Macau and Singapore is closed for years to come.

Hokkaido Could Lure Well-Known Bidders, Too

While not Tokyo, Hokkaido Prefecture is home to 5.1 million residents, making it larger than nearly all of the US cities in which casinos are located.

Obviously, that’s not Tokyo in population terms nor is it Yokohama or even Osaka, but Hokkaido previously drew multiple casino proposals from well-known entities, including Hard Rock International, Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment (MGE), and Rush Street Japan. Still, it’s not a sure thing that the region will become home to an integrated resort.

“Even when the road did not approve the application, there were concerns about the impact on the natural environment and the faction of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Hokkaido in the ruling party of the Hokkaido Diet failed to come together, and there is a possibility that a similar discussion will occur this time,” according to Hokkaido Shimbun.