Japan is set to conduct a second round of bidding for casino licenses in 2027, and interest is increasing among prefectures and potential resort developers.
Japan’s National Diet approved up to three integrated resort (IR) casinos in 2018 to boost tourism and enhance the country’s appeal for leisure and business events. Initially considered a prime casino market opportunity akin to Macau at the start of the century.
Japan faced delays in finalizing casino regulations and the bidding process, with the pandemic further hampering interest. Major casino operators like Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and Hard Rock International refrained from submitting bids.
MGM Resorts was the sole qualified bidder, securing Japan’s first casino license in April 2023 for MGM Osaka. Partnering with Orix Corporation, MGM started construction on a $8 billion investment on Yumeshima Island in April 2025 with plans to open the integrated resort by late 2030.
Round Two Interest
Despite Tokyo’s initial disinterest, Japan’s second bidding window garnered attention as Hokkaido Prefecture revealed responses from three foreign and 12 domestic companies regarding potential IR development.
Casino.org reported Hokkaido’s consideration of an IR in Sapporo, with interest from Tomakomai and Hakodate for hosting a casino resort.
Hokkaido did not disclose the names of the three casino companies replying to the IR questionnaire.
The strengths of the prefecture to host an IR are rich natural and cultural attractions, excellent transportation capabilities, and an untapped market,” the prefecture concluded based on the feedback, as reported by GGRAsia.
Wakayama Prefecture is also exploring IR feasibility, pinpointing Marina City as a desirable development location.
Sasebo Redo?
In 2023, Nagasaki Prefecture submitted the only other IR bid to Japan’s central government.
Casinos Austria proposed a $3 billion IR at the Netherlands-themed Huis Ten Bosch amusement park, but the proposal was rejected due to funding concerns. The Sasebo Chamber of Commerce is advocating for a revival of the IR plan at Huis Ten Bosch.
Our stance on IR remains unchanged. We should try having an IR to revitalize the city and the northern part of the prefecture,” said Chamber Chairman Takuya Kaneko. “The knowledge and experience accumulated from the IR efforts in the past are invaluable. We have major advantages against other areas.”
Sasebo Mayor Daisuke Miyajima supports reconsidering other potential host locations besides Huis Ten Bosch.