Published on: March 9, 2026, at 10:33 AM.
Updated on: March 9, 2026, at 10:33 AM.
- Japan is anticipated to restart casino bidding
- Various prefectures are evaluating participation in the casino sector
Japan is seemingly prepared to initiate a second bidding phase for the outstanding casino licenses. While the timeline for this event remains uncertain, the national government is moving towards accepting new proposals for integrated resorts (IRs), prompting several prefectures to consider their involvement.
The Integrated Resort Development Act of 2018 permits up to three major mixed-use IR projects featuring hotels, gaming, convention spaces, and attractions suitable for families. This legislation, promoted by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe along with his Liberal Democratic Party, aimed to boost tourism in a country noted for its significant global business landscape.
Nearly ten years later, only a single IR license has been awarded. MGM Resorts, along with Orix Corporation, is in the process of constructing the over $8 billion MGM Osaka on Yumeshima Island.
Regions Exploring IR Opportunities
According to the 2018 legislation, casinos may only propose IR projects in prefectures willing to host such developments. In light of a forthcoming bidding round, several regions are conducting feasibility studies for IRs.
Both Hokkaido and Aichi prefectures have earmarked budget allocations for these assessments. Hokkaido has dedicated approximately JPY10 million (USD 63,100), whereas Aichi has set aside significantly larger funds totaling JPY277 million (USD 1.75 million).
Aichi ranks as Japan’s fourth-most populous prefecture with around 7.5 million residents, while Hokkaido stands eighth with about 5.2 million inhabitants.
Nagoya, with a population of 2.3 million, and Sapporo, with roughly 2 million residents, both emerge as desirable locations for IR development. Furthermore, both cities are accessible via key international airports, Chubu Centrair International and New Chitose.
Nagoya is a quick flight away from South Korea, while Sapporo could serve visitors from Eastern China and Russia’s Far East region.
Are Casinos Ready to Invest in Japan?
When Japan legalized casinos in 2018, it captured the attention of nearly every major global gaming entity. Companies like MGM, Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, Melco Resorts, Mohegan, and Hard Rock International were all preparing to submit their proposals.
However, the prolonged regulatory processes coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic led many firms to withdraw their interest. Ultimately, only MGM and Orix managed to put forth qualified bids, while another bid from Casinos Austria in Nagasaki was dismissed due to funding issues.
So far, only US-based Bally’s Corporation has publicly indicated their intent to create a casino proposal should Japan reopen bidding for the remaining gaming licenses.
Regarding MGM’s Osaka project, the planned IR will feature 2,500 hotel rooms, a theater with a capacity of 3,500 seats, 400,000 square feet of convention space, numerous dining options, a shopping mall, and a public park, with the casino occupying a maximum of 3% of the resort’s total floor area.