Casino Operators Building Community Ties in Osaka

July 30, 2018

Osaka- Foreign casino operators are stepping up moves to build links with Osaka in western Japan, following the enactment of legislation to introduce casino-featuring integrated resorts in the country.

This reflects the positive stance of both the Osaka city and prefectural governments toward attracting casinos.

The casino operators are sponsoring local summer festivals and making donations to northern Osaka areas affected by the June 18 massive earthquake, in hopes of winning understanding from local residents and gaining an edge in the upcoming competition to open casinos, possibly in the mid-2020s, according to people familiar with the situation.

Jim Murren, chairman of U.S. casino operator MGM Resorts International, was among the crowds enjoying the Tenjin Matsuri, one of Japan's three major festivals, in the city of Osaka on the night of July 25.

Murren, who made the decision to sponsor the festival, told reporters that Osaka is in a perfect position as a major candidate to host an urban IR. He also said that his company would like to win the right to operate such facilities in Japan.

Melco Resorts & Entertainment, a casino operator based in Macau, was also a sponsor for the festival.

The firm opened an office in the city of Osaka in April and made a donation to the Osaka prefectural government to help people affected by the June earthquake.

Lawrence Ho, chairman of Melco, said that his company will consider activities with deep roots in local communities.

The Osaka city and prefectural governments plan to speed up arrangements to recruit casino operators, in preparation for the central government's announcement of its basic policy on standards for selecting areas that will host casino-featuring IRs.

Osaka Governor Ichiro Matsui has welcomed the recent moves by the casino operators, saying they are making "business efforts to fit into communities in Osaka."

Meanwhile, Koji Niisato, a lawyer well-versed in multiple debt-related problems, warned, "People need to think rationally without being swayed by the colorful support."

He called on people to turn their attention to the issue of gambling addiction. Jiji Press