Bally’s Corporation Aims to Invest in Japan |

Published on: February 27, 2026, at 09:44h.

Updated on: February 27, 2026, at 09:44h.

Bally’s is monitoring developments in Japan
Should Japan resume bidding, expect an application from Bally’s
Bally’s is significantly leveraged in both the US and Australia

Bally’s Corporation has an extensive portfolio of investment initiatives underway, seeking to expand further. The company, based in Rhode Island and supported by billionaire investor Soo Kim, aims to capitalize on new opportunities.

Soo Kim Bally's Japan casino resort — John Fisher, owner of the Oakland A’s, Soo Kim, owner of Bally’s, and Arik Knowles, VP of Bally’s, attend the implosion of Tropicana Las Vegas on October 9, 2024, marking a new chapter for the A’s ballpark and Bally’s resort. Kim stated this week that Bally’s remains committed to pursuing opportunities in Japan, despite its current leverage in the US and Australia. (Image: Getty)

Currently, Bally’s is developing a $1.7 billion resort casino in Chicago. Recently, the company indicated it may require additional time beyond the anticipated September 2026 opening.

Additionally, Bally’s is in the preliminary stages of constructing a $4 billion casino at the Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point in the Bronx, New York City. This project entails a $115 million payment to The Trump Organization. More information is available here.

In Las Vegas, Bally’s is progressing with a $2 billion casino and MLB ballpark aimed at relocating the Oakland A’s to Southern Nevada.

In a major strategic move, Bally’s acquired a controlling interest in Australia’s Star Entertainment for A$300 million (approximately US$213 million) last year, anticipating significant improvements in the brand’s profitability.

Japan: A Market of Interest

In 2022, Bally’s made a late attempt to secure a casino license in Fukuoka, Japan, following the acquisition of the Bally’s brand from Caesars Entertainment by Soo Kim’s Standard General and Twin River Worldwide Holdings.

However, the Japan Tourism Agency did not consider the Bally’s bid due to the absence of local government support. As Japan prepares to initiate a second bidding process for the two remaining IR licenses under the 2018 Integrated Resort Development Act, Kim has reaffirmed Bally’s interest in entering the Japanese market.

“If the chance arises, we will definitely express our interest,” Kim stated in an interview with Nikkei, the leading financial publication in Tokyo.

Kim emphasized that Bally’s is closely monitoring developments in Japan, considering it a “highly appealing” market.

Currently, Bally’s operates 19 casinos in the US and one in the UK. As Bally’s Bronx prepares to open in the next few years and the acquisition of Sam’s Town Shreveport in Louisiana wraps up, the company’s portfolio will expand to 22 venues.

Bally’s has no gaming assets in Asia at this time. Despite Kim being born in Seoul, he grew up in Queens, New York, where he attended Stuyvesant High School and graduated from Princeton University.

MGM Osaka Update

Japan has sanctioned one casino project in MGM Osaka. Partnered with Japanese financial giant Orix, the Bellagio operator is engaged in this ¥1.27 trillion (US$8.13 billion) venture on the artificial Yumeshima Island.

MGM Osaka is slated to open its doors in 2030.

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