Nagasaki governor Kengo Oishi indicated at a press conference on Wednesday that there is a possibility of changes to the bid to develop an integrated resort on land attached to the Huis ten Bosch theme park in Sasebo. Nagasaki’s initial application was submitted to the central government in April 2022.
At the press conference, Oishi was asked whether there might be significant changes to the schedule and details of Nagasaki’s bid given recent revelations that Osaka’s already approved proposal would almost certainly be delayed from its previously planned 2029 opening date until at least 2030.
The governor responded, “The national government hasn’t shared any authorization schedule. There is a scenario in which we adjust the schedule as well as income and expenditures in the IR plan, and discuss with the national government and prefectural assembly based on those results.”
Governor Yoshimura of Osaka announced on Tuesday, “It took the better part of one year to gain government approval, so we are in agreement with [operator MGM Resorts] that a 2029 opening would be difficult.”
Nagasaki’s IR bid, in partnership with a consortium called Kyushu Resorts Japan – led by Casinos Austria – had aimed for a 2027 opening. However, while Osaka’s bid has been certified, there has been no word on the progress of Nagasaki’s bid with rumored concerns around the details of its funding model.
The Nagasaki consortium has previously estimated IR sales would reach JPY271.6 billion (US$1.94 billion) by the fifth year of operations with 6.73 million annual visitors and an economic ripple effect of JPY 322.8 billion (US$2.30 billion).
