Warnings Issued Against Fraudulent Online Casino Sites Claiming Ties to MGM Osaka

Officials from Osaka Prefecture and the developers of MGM Osaka, Japan's first integrated casino-resort, have issued a warning regarding fraudulent gambling websites claiming affiliation with the project. Construction is currently ongoing for MGM Osaka, which is a collaboration between Orix Corporation, a prominent domestic construction company, and MGM Resorts International, a leading casino operator based in the US. The casino is expected to open its doors in 2030. Last week, the developers joined forces with Osaka Prefecture to release a statement asserting that these unauthorized sites are not linked in any way to MGM Osaka, as reported by Fukui Shimbun. The statement emphasized, "MGM Osaka does not provide, promote, or advertise online casinos in any way." During an investigation, CasinoBeats uncovered several deceptive websites that appeared to be connected to MGM Osaka, all of which utilized Korean keywords in domain names. These sites incorporated URLs including terms like 'MGM,' 'casino,' 'Osaka,' 'Japan,' and 'Tokyo.' They prominently featured AI-generated graphics and text, which a native Japanese speaker noted resembled the output of AI software. Despite the fact that online gambling is illegal in Japan, these sites falsely claimed to hold licenses in Curaçao, a territory recognized for granting licenses to online casinos. The bogus platforms suggested they offered access to approximately 2,000 to 2,500 casino games and could process bets in Japanese yen along with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the stablecoin USDT. They also asserted the availability of Japanese language support during peak hours. Authorities urged the public to avoid these websites, warning that visiting them could lead users to illegal overseas casinos. Prefectural police emphasized that using these sites from within Japan is unlawful. Developers stressed that these impersonating websites are unlawfully using the MGM Osaka name. They reiterated, "Please note that these websites are not affiliated with Osaka IR or MGM Osaka in any way." As the central government encourages the establishment of integrated resort projects in two more prefectures, some governors have publicly distanced themselves from the plans amid opposition from anti-gambling factions who assert that casinos could escalate gambling-related crimes. The only exception is Aichi Prefecture, where officials are seeking partners to construct an IR adjacent to the busiest airport in the region. Aichi's Governor, Hideaki Omura, has stated that the project aims to transform the prefecture into an international tourism hub. Business leaders in Osaka are also advocating for the IR project, believing it will establish the city as a premier entertainment destination.