Japanese citizens remain split on whether legalizing commercial gaming is in the best interest of the country. But in Osaka, local officials and the public support generally support the project.<\/p>\n
“There is clarity, passion and support for an IR project of a kind I see in Osaka, but not currently in other parts of Japan,” Murren said.<\/p>\n
The general sentiment is that Osaka will be the first city to be issued a casino license. Officials in other locations are also considering making an appeal for licensure, but currently there is no area more interested than Osaka.<\/p>\n
\nOsaka will likely be the site of Japan’s first IR. There can be no mistakes. It has to be flawlessly executed and operated,” Murren concluded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
If it isn’t, other candidate cities might withdrawal from consideration.<\/p>\n
Analysts at Sanford Bernstein opined this week that Japan’s gaming industry will become the world’s third-largest \u2013 not the second \u2013 upon maturation. The investment firm predicts Japan’s three casinos will generate around $8 billion in annual gross gaming revenue, which would keep it behind Nevada, which is at nearly $12 billion per year.<\/strong><\/p>\nMacau’s title as world leader certainly isn’t in jeopardy. Casinos in the Chinese Special Administrative Region won $37.8 billion last year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren says a lengthy licensing process in Japan could prohibit opening an integrated casino resort in Osaka in time for the city’s hosting of the 2025 World Expo. MGM and Las Vegas Sands are considered the frontrunners for two of the three forthcoming IR licenses Japan’s federal government is authorizing. A […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":111716,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[62,13592],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
MGM Resorts CEO Says Japan Licensing Process Could Delay Osaka<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n