Japan plans new round of casino applications in 2027

Japan is preparing to expand its casino market and plans to launch new integrated resorts. The Japan Tourism Agency has released a draft government ordinance providing a new application period for local authorities interested in hosting such facilities. Applications will be accepted from May 6 to November 5, 2027.

Under the Integrated Resort Law, passed in 2018, the Japanese government may approve up to three projects. Currently, only one has been approved — a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and Japan’s Orix Corporation in Osaka. The resort is expected to open in 2030.

During the previous 2023 application round, Nagasaki and Wakayama applications were rejected, while Yokohama withdrew due to public concerns. These cities are expected to reapply, and Hokkaido has already publicly expressed interest in the project.

Each candidate region must collaborate with a private operator to prepare a full-scale development plan. Previously, major industry players such as Caesars Entertainment, Wynn Resorts, and Hard Rock International were associated with such applications.

The new momentum in Japan’s casino industry is linked to the election of Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first female prime minister. Shortly after taking office, she instructed the Minister of Tourism to accelerate efforts to promote integrated resorts, confirming the government’s focus on using this sector as a tool for economic growth.

Takaichi has long supported casino legalization: as early as 2013, she submitted a bill laying the foundation for the current integrated resort legislation.

At the same time, Japan maintains a strict stance on iGaming. Online gambling remains illegal, and the prime minister calls for even stricter regulation due to potential social risks. The government has already banned advertising of overseas online casinos in an effort to curb the illegal market.