Hokkaido considering idea of hosting integrated resort with a casino

The northernmost prefecture of Japan, Hokkaido, is thinking of establishing an integrated resort (IR) with a casino to boost tourism and boost the local economy. The idea of a “green IR” is being looked at by the Hokkaido Tourism Organization in an effort to draw more tourists. An annual target of more than 10.4 million visitors is now being set, up from 8.36 million in 2019 before to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The governor of Hokkaido rejected a proposal to host a casino resort in 2019 due to environmental concerns. To revitalize the area, the economically distressed industrial port of Tomakomai in Hokkaido has shown interest in building an IR. A draft of the city’s December 2022 public policy plan called for the creation of a casino-resort strategy.

International investors could still be interested in regional markets like Hokkaido, claims Japanese scholar Toru Mihara. As of right now, Osaka is home to the only casino resort project authorized in Japan. MGM Resorts International of Las Vegas and Orix Corp. of Japan are involved in the project, which was signed into an implementation agreement by the Osaka prefectural government in September. That being said, the Osaka IR has been delayed until “autumn 2030,” with an initial investment cost of JPY 1.27 trillion, or about US$1.27 billion.

Original story by: GGRAsia