Japan’s first IR, MGM Osaka, to feature 6,000 gaming machines
Japan’s first integrated resort development, MGM Osaka, will feature a 27‑storey tower as its centrepiece attraction, along with a casino covering 23,293 square metres, hosting around 470 gaming tables and 6,400 electronic gaming machines, according to details from an architectural document obtained by local media outlet The Yomiuri Shimbun.
The resort, being developed on Yumeshima Island in Osaka by a consortium of MGM Resorts and local partner ORIX, is expected to cost around $10 billion. It represents the first fully authorised casino‑integrated resort in Japan, following the central government’s careful regulatory framework for gambling operations.
The main 27‑storey tower, rising 126 metres with a basement level, is designed in an arc reminiscent of Las Vegas’ Bellagio. It will house two hotels with a combined 1,840 rooms, serving as the resort’s accommodation core.
Floor to be open for locals
Adjacent to the tower, the expansive casino floor will offer gaming experiences for both local and international visitors. MGM Osaka will also feature a 16.7‑hectare, four‑storey section, standing 27 metres high, which will contain the resort’s main MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) facilities and parking areas. This section is aimed at attracting business travellers and large‑scale conferences, supporting Osaka’s strategy to boost corporate tourism.
In addition, a third hotel will rise 56 metres with 13 above‑ground floors and a basement. This 660‑room property will include studios where visitors can engage in cultural experiences, such as tea ceremonies, providing a blend of traditional Japanese culture and modern luxury.
Construction officially began with a groundbreaking ceremony in April 2024, while land preparation had started in late 2023. The resort is slated for completion by 2030, at which point it will offer 2,500 hotel rooms across three distinct hotel brands and 730,000 square feet of MICE and tourism space, showcasing Osaka and Japan’s cultural and recreational attractions.
The MGM‑ORIX consortium is composed of MGM Resorts and ORIX, each holding roughly 40 percent stakes, alongside 22 minority shareholders. To oversee operations in Japan, MGM appointed Steve Zanella, a veteran Las Vegas executive, as President and COO of Japan Operations last year.
MGM Osaka is expected to transform Yumeshima Island into a major tourism and entertainment hub, combining luxury accommodation, large‑scale gaming facilities, cultural experiences, and business venues. By integrating these elements, the resort aims to cater to both leisure tourists and business travellers, positioning itself as a flagship example of Japan’s emerging integrated resort sector.
While Japan continues to prohibit online casino play, international audiences interested in digital entertainment alternatives can explore platforms offering free casino games without real money wagering.
Second IR plan in works
With Osaka already licenced, a new application window is scheduled to open from 6 May to 5 November 2027, allowing local governments to submit proposals in partnership with private operators for additional IR developments. Regions such as Hokkaido and Nagasaki are widely expected to participate in this next round. Under the Integrated Resorts Act, Japan may approve up to three integrated resorts nationwide.
Japan’s stance on gambling remains tightly regulated. While physical casinos within integrated resorts are now legal under strict rules, online casino operations still remain prohibited, meaning Japanese citizens currently cannot access domestically licenced online casino platforms.
Some lawmakers and industry observers have discussed the possibility of future regulation, particularly as interest grows in offshore online betting and sports wagering, but no formal legal framework has yet been enacted.
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