Inside Asian Gaming

IAG JAPAN MAR 2021 78 12 casinos in Austria, although none are of the size and magnitude of what it will be expected to create in Japan. In Nagasaki, Casinos Austria is teaming up with Kengo Kuma, a world-renowned architect, to create a Japanese-style space that it says will be harmonious with the government’s chosen IR site at Huis Ten Bosch. According to Akio Hayashi, President of the company’s Japanese subsidiary, Casinos Austria is confident in its knowledge of hot springs, music and “social allure” thanks to its operations in Vienna and Salzburg. “Our strength is the security, safety and stability that comes with a state-run corporation,” he said. Rivals, however, have suggested to IAG that a “government-run corporation will be lacking in flexibility.” CURRENT GROUP Hong Kong’s Current Corp belongs to the SRC Group, which has invested in IR business, real estate, finance and entertainment tourism around Asia. SHOTOKU, also part of this group, is currently participating in the Yokohama IR bid. Current was fast to set up offices in both Nagasaki and Sasebo cities and has taken a community-based approach, which included participating in Nagasaki’s IR seminar two years ago. Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16, where Current’s CEO Tamotsu Suzuki got his start, has already procured HK$25 million (US$3.2 million) fromHong Kong-listed Get Nice Holdings, another partner in the consortium, as confirmation of its intent to work together. Get Nice has some casino experience in its own right, having JAPAN