Inside Asian Gaming

IAG JAPAN FEB 2019 42 JAPAN The recent decision to award Osaka the 2025 World Expo has given the city a massive boost in the IR promotion race. Each of the international IR operators interested in developing a casino resort in Osaka has in turn organized courtesy visits with Governor Ichiro Matsui. MGM Resorts International’s Chairman and CEO Jim Murren, Wynn Resorts’ Matt Maddox and Melco Resorts & Entertainment boss Lawrence Ho have all met with Matsui. MGM has even made the declaration that they are putting “Osaka First”. In general, it is widely believed that Osaka will host one of the three Japanese IRs to be built as part of this first batch. The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has not yet, however, announced the basic policies that will apply to Japan’s IRs. Before local governments submit their official bids, there must first be a detailed cabinet order regarding the IR Implementation Act. For example, the international conference center and entertainment facility criteria need to be set, and there must be guidelines established regarding the quality of new hotels, amongst many other issues. There also needs to be specific numbers detailed in the cabinet order such as the maximum floor space of the gaming area and what monetary amounts will be subject to cash transaction reports for anti-money laundering measures. The cabinet order is scheduled to be ready by late April at the latest. Following this, in July, the Casino Administration Committee (details below), the most important entity for maintaining the integrity of Japan’s IRs, will be formed. Osaka looks increasingly likely to be home to one of Japan’s three initial IRs. 大阪が日本初のIR3か所のうち の1つを誘致する可能性が高く なってきたようだ。