Osaka to Start Recruitment Process for IR Operator in December

Hirofumi Yoshimura, the Governor of Osaka Prefecture, has announced that Osaka prefecture and city will start its formal recruitment process for an IR operator in December.

The IR implementation policy for Osaka will be announced this month. In its Request for concept process held earlier this year, MGM Resorts International with Orix Group, Genting Singapore and Galaxy Entertainment Group all submitted their company information and are believed to be the three contenders to operate an Osaka IR.

Although there were originally seven international casino operators interested in the Japanese city, four of those have now withdrawn with Las Vegas Sands, Melco Resorts & Entertainment and Wynn Resorts set to focus on other locations and Caesars Entertainment withdrawing from Japan altogether.