With little news being reported by the Japanese central government with respect to the possible development of Integrated Resorts (IR), the casino operators in anticipation are becoming increasingly anxious. MGM Resorts International, which is eyeing an IR in Osaka, now thinks it might not materialize until after 2030.
The Japanese central government has yet to make a decision on the proposed IRs for Osaka and Nagasaki. A verdict was expected by the end of last year, yet the deadline passed without any news surfacing.
The resulting delay has pushed back the projected start date for any such resort. MGM’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Bill Hornbuckle, despite being optimistic about the project, is not as positive about the timeline.
Frustration was expressed by Hornbuckle during the company’s yearly financial results meeting. Osaka and Nagasaki, which selected Casinos Austria as its partner, presented their strategies 10 months ago, yet there has been no development since then.
The same sentiment is felt within the government too. However, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLITT), which is playing a major role in the authorization process, wants to take its time in examining all aspects of the proposal.
Hornbuckle hopes
