The Japanese government has released a draft cabinet order, clarifying the schedule for the next round of applications for Integrated Resorts (IR) that include casinos, aimed at restarting the competition for IR projects. Previously, only the Osaka MGM project was approved in the first round, and this plan aims to authorize up to two more projects. Details of the relevant policies and subsequent application progress can be checked on the PASA official website.
Application Process: 6-Month Window + Public Consultation
The specific timeline has finally been clarified! According to the draft, the IR application window will open on May 6, 2027, and close on November 5, 2027, providing a full six months for local governments to submit their proposals. The process is coordinated by the Japan Tourism Agency, and before officially landing, a public consultation will be held from December 17 to January 16 of the following year. Local governments need to submit IR area development plans, and eligible prefectures and designated cities can participate, with Hokkaido and Nagasaki Prefecture already being considered hot candidates by the media.
Potential Applicants: Hokkaido and Nagasaki Prepare in Advance
Many regions have already started preparing! Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki stated at the end of November that he would continue to push forward with preparations even if the central government had not confirmed the date; Nagasaki Prefecture, with experience from the first round of applications, although their previous plan was not approved, has accumulated a foundation for operating large-scale IRs, and is likely to make another attempt this time. In contrast, Wakayama Prefecture, which withdrew in the first round, has not yet announced any plans to restart the application, showing an initial differentiation in regional competition.
Industry Reaction: Hard Rock Continues to Cultivate the Japanese Market
International operators remain enthusiastic about the Japanese market! Hard Rock International expressed "great pleasure at the launch of a new round of license applications" after the draft was released, emphasizing that it did not give up on the Japanese market even during the pandemic. The company had set up an office in Tomakomai, Hokkaido in 2018 to prepare for the application, and although Hokkaido temporarily abandoned the IR in 2019 due to environmental reasons, it has not completely withdrawn and is likely to advance cooperation in line with Hokkaido's needs this time.
Policy Objective: Boosting "Stay-Type Tourism" with IR
The Japanese government has high hopes for IR! Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has explicitly instructed the Minister of Transport to "promote the development of IR and create internationally competitive stay-type tourism," and the Commissioner of the Tourism Agency, Shigeru Murata, also stated that IR will be "an important measure to achieve a tourism-oriented nation." However, in the first round of approvals, financial stability and operational capability were the core considerations, and Nagasaki Prefecture did not meet these criteria previously, so local applications need to focus on addressing these weaknesses this time.
————
This article is from "PASA-Global iGaming Leaders," a gambling industry news channel:https://t.me/pasa_news
Original deep gambling channel:https://t.me/gamblingdeep
Free data reports: @pasa_research
PASA Matrix: @pasa002_bot
PASA official website: https://www.pasa.news
