OSAKA — Construction has officially begun on Japan’s first integrated resort (IR), which will feature a casino, an international convention center, and hotels, located on the man-made island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay. The project, which is set to open in 2030, marks a major milestone for the country’s growing tourism and entertainment sectors.
The IR development, which covers 49 hectares, is being spearheaded by Osaka IR, a consortium comprising the Japanese subsidiary of U.S. casino operator MGM Resorts International, Orix Corp., and other investors. Situated adjacent to the Osaka Kansai Expo venue, the integrated resort is poised to become a major attraction in the region.
The initial investment for the project is estimated at 1.27 trillion yen ($8.89 billion). Once completed, the facility will feature a casino with approximately 470 gaming tables for poker, baccarat, and other games, as well as about 6,400 electronic tables for slot machines and other electronic gaming options. The resort will also house an international convention center capable of accommodating over 6,000 people in its conference rooms.
Three hotels with a combined total of around 2,500 rooms will be built, along with commercial facilities and a bus terminal to cater to the expected influx of visitors. Ed Bowers, CEO of MGM Resorts Japan and the representative director of Osaka IR, attended the groundbreaking ceremony on April 24.
Once operational, the casino is projected to attract up to 20 million visitors annually, with estimated annual sales of around 520 billion yen.
The move to develop integrated resorts with casinos in Japan gained momentum in 1999, when then-Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara proposed bringing casinos to the Daiba district. The idea gained further traction during the second Abe administration, culminating in the passage of the IR Implementation Law in July 2018. This law set the stage for integrated resorts to be established across Japan.
While other regions such as Nagasaki, Wakayama, and Yokohama have also explored the possibility of hosting IRs, Osaka was the first to receive official approval from the central government in April 2023 to move forward with its development plan.
A Casino Management Committee was formed in January 2020 to oversee measures addressing concerns such as gambling addiction, money laundering, and potential organized crime involvement. Despite these precautions, concerns surrounding the impact of casinos continue to linger.
