The local governments of Osaka and Nagasaki have both announced they’re now moving onto the next stage of developing their respective anti-gambling addiction schemes which is among the key processes required for building Japan’s first integrated resort (IR) with a casino. Both cities submitted their IR proposal to the national government in April 2022.
Gambling Addiction Countermeasures to be Finalized in Early 2023
Osaka has established a department tasked with promoting countermeasures against gambling addiction. The said department, headed by Hirofumi Yoshimura, the governor of the Osaka prefecture, held its first meeting on December 28, 2022 during which members discussed the 2nd-term promotion plan of gambling addiction countermeasures.
The Osaka prefecture will conduct a public consultation before finalizing the promotion plan.
Nagasaki is taking similar steps, with its public comment-gathering process set to conclude on January 19, 2023. It will also finalize its 2nd-term promotion plan early in the year.
Both plans cover the 2023-2025 financial years.
IR Decision Could be Announced in Jan 2023
Osaka is planning to build a JPY1.08-trillion (US$8.1 billion) casino resort on the man-made Yumeshima island, in partnership with MGM Resorts International. Meanwhile, Nagasaki’s proposed IR project with its commercial partner Casinos Australia International Japan will cost JPY438.3 billion to develop. It will be located near the Huis Ten Bosch theme park in Sasebo City.
The national government could decide on the IR bids before the end of January 2023.
