Nagasaki prefecture published on Monday the Kyushu-Nagasaki IR Basic Concept and overview as it edges closer to selecting its operator partner.
The basic policy draft was announced last October and describes the functions and economic ripple effects of a Kyushu/Nagasaki IR. A draft of the implementation policy has also been published.
This Kyushu-Nagasaki IR Basic Concept contains detailed explanations over 73 pages in 11 sections, including the background of the approach to a Kyushu/Nagasaki IR, its potential, goals and outcomes, the aims of a Kyushu/Nagasaki IR, the facilities and functions it should have, and measures to address problem gambling concerns.
The basic concept was initially to be announced in March, but due to the impact of COVID-19 the announcement was postponed to April.
Nagasaki prefecture is aiming to develop an IR covering around 31 hectares adjacent to Dutch-inspired theme park Huis Ten Bosch, and is hoping to attract domestic and foreign visitors by taking advantage of the location, including a population base of 1 billion within a 1,500km radius.
Construction cost is estimated to be between JPY 350 billion and JPY 460 billion (US$3.2 billion to US$4.2 billion), with annual visitation of between 6.9 million and 9.3 million people.
There are also measures to address concerns such as problem gambling and security included in the basic concept. Twenty-four of the 73 pages are related to these measures, demonstrating a high level of awareness of these concerns and countermeasures for them.
Casinos Austria, South Africa’s Peermont Global, Hong Kong’s Get Nice Holdings and local firm Current are among those to have expressed an interest in a Nagasaki IR.