Japan Builds Its First Casino Resort in Osaka

Japan builds its first casino in Osaka with MGM and Orix, aiming to boost tourism with hotels, events, and gaming in a $8.9B resort set to open by 2030.

Japan Begins Construction on Landmark Casino Resort in Osaka

A long-awaited casino project in Japan is finally underway. MGM Resorts and Japanese firm Orix have broken ground on a massive entertainment complex in Osaka, marking the country's first official step into legal casino operations.

The project, located on the man-made Yumeshima Island, comes with a staggering price tag of ¥1.27 trillion (around $8.9 billion or ₱507 billion). If all goes according to plan, the resort will be ready to open by late 2030.

Plans for the site include three hotel towers with 2,500 rooms, a large theater, and over 400,000 square feet of space for business events and exhibitions. There will also be restaurants, retail shops, a wellness center, and a casino that stays within Japan’s strict space limits—only 3% of the resort’s total indoor area.

The gaming floor is expected to offer about 2,000 slot machines and 200 table games. MGM believes this site could earn roughly $6 billion per year in gaming revenue—putting it among the top-earning casinos in Asia.

Japanese guests will be charged a ¥3,000 (₱1,100) entry fee to the casino, with Osaka residents paying double. These fees aim to limit the social impact of local gambling.

The project also aligns with Japan’s goal of boosting tourism. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pushed for casino legislation in 2018, hoping to attract more international visitors and bring economic activity to cities like Osaka.

To protect the upcoming Expo 2025, also set on Yumeshima, construction will be scaled back during peak expo days. A new train line will connect the island to the mainland before the resort opens.

While major global gaming brands walked away from Japan due to delays, MGM stayed committed. Now, with building finally underway, Japan is on track to debut its first casino resort—and set a new standard in Asian gaming and tourism.

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