Japan’s first integrated resort will likely open in early 2022 following the safe passage of the country’s “IR Promotion Bill” through the upper house.
Despite earlier objections by committee chairman Namba Shoji, who is a member of the opposition party, a house vote was eventually allowed on Tuesday night – opening the door for the IR Bill to pass its final hurdle.
According to Union Gaming’s Grant Govertsen, the follow-up “IR Implementation Bill” will most likely pass by mid-2017 with construction to begin by 2019.
“We believe the IR Implementation bill will call for two large-scale IR licenses, one for each of metro Tokyo and metro Osaka,” Govertsen said.
“It is also likely to include language on multiple smaller scale IR licenses, although it isn’t clear if they will come at the same time as the large-scale licenses or if they will come in the out years. Regardless, it is the Tokyo and Osaka licenses that will attract the attention of the major international IR developers.
“Given what appears to be a heavy focus on the Singapore model we expect locals to be allowed to gamble, and we also expect there to be some entry fee for locals. Regardless, the locals green light should make the Tokyo and Osaka IRs the most sought after licenses in the history of gaming.”
