The city of Osaka has selected a group led by MGM Resorts and Orix, a financial services firm, to construct a combined resort in the prefecture. This group was the sole entity to submit a proposal.

The prefecture issued a call for proposals in December 2019, seeking an operator for an integrated resort. However, only one bid was received. The Osaka government noted that despite this, the proposal was very ambitious and could significantly aid the Osaka economy in recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“By thoroughly understanding the project’s purpose and goals, concentrating on post-pandemic recovery, and creating a growth-oriented integrated resort that leverages the potential of Osaka and Kansai’s tourist attractions, industries, and cultural resources, it will become a catalyst for economic growth in Osaka and Kansai, and will be the driving force of Osaka,” it stated.

“This is a highly ambitious proposal that will elevate the city’s brand to a new level of global competitiveness.”

MGM-Orix’s bid was assessed in five areas, achieving a total score of 788.5 out of a possible 1,000. The most crucial aspect was the company’s financial strength and whether the proposal’s implementation could guarantee business stability. In this area, the bid received 254.5 out of a possible 300.

The venture achieved 204 out of 260 points for the excellence and distinctiveness of its idea. The undertaking earned 152.5 out of 200 points for establishing a top-notch and unique global tourism destination.

The venture also gained points for its execution of steps to prevent gambling-related damage. In this area, the endeavor attained 101.5 out of 140 points.

Finally, the venture achieved 76 out of 100 points for laying the groundwork for an appealing and sustainable integrated resort that contributes to the community.

Osaka Prefecture added: “There are high hopes that the Osaka Integrated Resort will contribute to the economic growth and tourism enhancement of Osaka/Kansai, as well as the introduction of tourism and economic promotion throughout Japan.”

In its proposal document, MGM and Orix stated that the project’s initial investment would reach 1.8 trillion yen (£11.84 billion/€13.85 billion/$16.17 billion). The partnership added that it anticipates annual sales of around 540 billion yen, of which 4.3 billion yen would originate from gambling, with Osaka Prefecture receiving 77 billion yen annually.

Proposers expect roughly 20.5 million visitors per year. They stated that they anticipate about 6.5 million of these to be from abroad, with the remaining coming from Japan.

The resort is anticipated to employ 15,000 individuals.

Across the Japanese archipelago, Wakayama selected Clairvest in the sixth month to construct its all-encompassing resort, while Nagasaki chose Austrian Casinos International to oversee its integrated resort in the eighth month.

However, both proposals were not without contention. In Wakayama, anonymous papers were disseminated, accusing William Weidner (head of Gaming Asset Management, which is advising Clairvest) of being unsuitable to participate in the bid due to his actions while he was head of Las Vegas Sands.

These papers were sent to the Japanese Casino Regulatory Commission, the Wakayama Prefectural Government, Clairvest, and its Wakayama branch, Clairvest Neem Ventures. However, ICE365 confirmed that three of the recipients did not receive the papers, and there was no response from the JCRC.

Weidner labeled the papers “carefully orchestrated but baseless slander,” with nothing “constituting criminal activity.”

Meanwhile, in Nagasaki, Oshidori International Development (one of the three finalists) announced that it had withdrawn from the bidding process just days before the county was to announce the victor.

Oshidori stated that it disagreed with the county’s development and operating rules and that the bidding process was not conducted in a moral or fair manner.

The company also stated in a statement that it had “encountered multiple instances of suspected ethical fraud during the bidding process.”

The firm resolved that it could solely engage in a selection process that was transparent and expert.

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