Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING FEB 2019 12 BREAKFAST BRIEFS MGMRESORTS REVEALS “OSAKA FIRST POLICY” MGM Resorts Japan has announced its new “Osaka First Policy” – a move which aims to “concentrate MGM’s management resources in Osaka to gain regional improvement plan approval for an IR facility in Japan.” JAPAN’S KAMORI KANKO PUTS FORWARD EXPANSIVE RUSUTSU IR PLAN LEADING Japanese tourism and hospitality firm Kamori Kanko Co. Ltd has outlined its ambitious vision for a regional integrated resort in Hokkaido’s Rusutsu Village, including everything from casino and entertainment facilities to schools, healthcare centers, commercial and retail precincts and multi-family homes. The project would encompass a sizeable expansion of Kamori Kanko’s already substantial facilities, which include the award-winning Rusutsu Resort Hotel and Convention Centre – a popular ski resort that attracts more than 1.5 million visitors per year. Rusutsu itself, located in the Shiribeshi sub-prefecture amid the most populous region of Hokkaido, is home to around 260,000 residents and has a catchment of more than three million residents within a 70-kilometre radius. “An Integrated Resort at Rusutsu will allow for the development of core community-based support infrastructure,” said Kamori Kanko President Hisatake Kamori. “Aside from casino gaming, which is only a small component in the overall scheme, our vision includes healthcare facilities, schools, commercial and retail precincts, multi-family homes and more tourism and entertainment venues, all in an environmentally-friendly manner. It will be a true ‘integrated resort’.” Kamori Kanko’s vision aims to create a hub in Central Hokkaido that encourages population growth and links two of the island’s largest sub-prefectures – Sapporo and Hakodate. According to Kamori Kanko’s consultancy partner, The Innovation Group, combined GGR and non-gaming revenue for the facility is forecast at well over US$1 billion annually. MGM has cooperated in a number of local events in recent months, such as the Tenjin Festival and Dotonbori Riverwalk, in order to enhance the company’s connection with Osaka – the current front-runner as an IR candidate location. MGM Resorts International Chairman and CEO Jim Murren visited Osaka Prefecture Governor Ichiro Matusi and Osaka City Mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura in January, stating his opinion to them that Osaka is “the best.” Jason Hyland, President and Representative Officer of MGM Resorts Japan, commented, “The IR proposal and regional development plan offered by MGM Resorts should reflect the wonderful history and culture of Osaka and the Kansai region. We hope to continue deepening our relationships with those in the regional tourist industries as well as the financial circles.” Focusing all efforts on Osaka is certainly an aggressive strategy to win a Japanese IR license. Governor Matsui has already announced that the public offering to select an IR partner will begin this Spring. This policy decision by MGM is an extremely strong backing for an Osaka IR to become a reality.