According to analyst Dan Wasiolek, senior equity analyst at Morningstar, as first reported in AGB, the Osaka integrated resort (IR) has the potential to generate upwards of $4 billion in revenue at the start of 2030. This positive outlook is bolstered by the resort’s proximity to Osaka’s business district and airport, which should be improved by new transit infrastructure.

Japan’s first casino

The main partners in the consortium that will develop the Osaka IR are MGM Resorts International, Japanese ORIX-Corp. It will be developed on a 490,000 metre squared parcel of land in Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay. It is expected to include Japan’s first casino, conference centre, hotel, theatre and exhibition hall.

Substantial domestic traffic expected

In the domestic market, Morningstar’s research team anticipates substantial traffic because of the dense population and high income earners of Osaka and other Japanese city residents, attracted to the resort’s gambling and non-gambling activities on offer. The size of the resort will undoubtedly provide a wide and varied selection of things to do.

The Osaka IR estimates it will draw 6 million foreign tourists and 14 million domestic visitors, with an initial target of $3.6 billion in yearly revenue, primarily from the gaming industry.

Osaka IR to attract new gamblers

On an important note, the Osaka IR is not expected to divert traffic from established gambling regions in Asia such as Macau, Singapore or the Philippines. Rather, it seems likely to attract new players from Chinese regions closer to Japan while also attracting visitors globally.

Want to know more? Join us at the SiGMA Summit in Manila, July 2023

Japan remains a tier one market with high player value. A number of speakers focusing on Japan and the Asian market will keynote at SiGMA Asia later this month from the 19th to 22nd July, including Kelvin Lester K. Lee (Commissioner, Securities and Exchange Commission Philippines), Steve Tsao (General Partner, Yolo Investments), Nick Hill, CEO Premier Chain) and Dr Manida Xongmixay-Lau (Vice President, Business Solutions & Premium Marketing Operations, Okada Manila).