The city of Sasebo, located in Nagasaki Prefecture, is urging the famed Huis Ten Bosch theme park to rejuvenate its bid to construct one of Japan's initial integrated casino resorts. According to NHK One, the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry will formally request that the park resume its efforts in this endeavor.
In response to the central government’s decision in 2023 to reject Nagasaki's proposal—citing concerns about financing and the qualifications of potential investors—the chamber believes a revised proposal could stimulate the local economy and generate employment opportunities.
Support for this initiative reportedly comes from various local business leaders, as well as the Mayor of Omura, the city that accommodates Nagasaki Airport. The chamber plans to send its request to Huis Ten Bosch as early as next week.
Owned by Hong Kong investment firm PAG since 2022, Huis Ten Bosch has been actively involved in economic and tourism initiatives within the region. Following the acquisition, PAG indicated interest in developing an integrated resort adjacent to the theme park.
The possibility of leasing or selling part of the park's land to a casino operator had also been a topic of discussion among Nagasaki's authorities, contingent on central government approval.
PAG recently made strides in the gambling industry by acquiring a controlling interest in the Australian hospitality group AVC in 2023. AVC operates over 200 venues in Australia, many featuring electronic gambling machines and sports betting options. The company is also expanding its presence in Japan, looking to invest up to $12 billion in real estate and private equity opportunities.
The Japanese government aims to greenlight a maximum of three integrated resort projects by establishing a bidding deadline of November 5, 2027. To date, only Osaka's proposal has received approval. While many prefectures appear hesitant to bid, there are signs that others, like Hokkaido, may reignite earlier plans in light of a tourism boom.
Construction for Osaka's integrated resort, slated to open in 2030, is taking place on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay. While construction commenced last year, the project has faced various challenges. Nobuyo Fujinaga, head of the opposition group, noted that the soft ground conditions present significant risks, particularly if natural disasters occur.
Because Yumeshima was constructed atop a soft seabed, Fujinaga expressed concerns about potential flooding during an earthquake. Additionally, the island's soil contains contaminated sediment, and the city government has invested billions to strengthen the ground. Fujinaga pointed out that the completion of the casino is contingent on removing substantial drainage infrastructure, with funding uncertainties lingering.
Despite these concerns, the city asserts that progress on the casino is on schedule. Developers, led by Japan’s Orix and US-based MGM, project that the casino will emerge as one of Asia's largest, equipped with around 6,400 electronic gambling machines and drawing an estimated 20 million visitors annually.
