Hokkaido Re-evaluates Integrated Resort Bid as Japan's Second Licensing Round Nears

• The Japanese prefecture of Hokkaido has launched a new survey of its municipalities to gauge interest in hosting an Integrated Resort (IR) with a casino.
• This is the first formal step by Hokkaido to re-enter the race since it unexpectedly withdrew its candidacy in 2019, citing environmental and social concerns.
• The move comes as Japan’s central government is expected to launch a second bidding round for the two remaining national IR licences “not far off.”
• To date, only one project, the JPY 1.27 trillion MGM Osaka, has been approved nationwide and is scheduled to open in 2030.
• Hokkaido’s renewed interest will see it potentially compete with other ambitious regions, including the city of Yokosuka in Kanagawa prefecture.

Hokkaido, once considered a frontrunner to host one of Japan’s first large-scale casino resorts, is formally re-evaluating its position. The prefectural government has launched a new survey across all 179 of its municipalities to gauge local appetite for an Integrated Resort (IR), marking its first official move on the issue since it withdrew from the initial bidding process in 2019.

At that time, the industrial port city of Tomakomai had been selected as the preferred site. However, the then-governor pulled out of the race, citing concerns over the potential environmental impact and a tight timeline for conducting the necessary studies. Despite that decision, local business groups have continued to advocate for an IR, and the new survey signals that the political will may be shifting.

The National Context: Japan’s Slow-Moving IR Process

This renewed interest from Hokkaido comes as Japan’s long-delayed IR development process finally appears to be gaining new momentum. The country’s 2018 IR Implementation Act allows for the development of up to three large-scale resorts, but progress has been notoriously slow.

To date, only one project has received the green light from the central government: the JPY 1.27 trillion (approx. $8.6bn) MGM Osaka. Located on Yumeshima Island, the resort, backed by MGM Resorts and its Japanese partner Orix, isn’t expected to open its doors until 2030.

Government officials have recently hinted that a new application process for the two remaining, highly coveted licences is “not far off,” prompting prefectures across the country to reconsider their positions.

The Potential Competition

If Hokkaido decides to formally re-enter the race, it will face stiff competition. Other regions that have previously expressed interest include Tokyo, Aichi, and Nagasaki. A new and formidable potential candidate has also emerged in the city of Yokosuka, located in Kanagawa prefecture. Its proximity to Tokyo and its existing infrastructure make it a very strong contender.

The results of Hokkaido’s new survey will be a decisive moment. A positive outcome could see the northern island once again become a major player in the race, intensifying the competition for what are some of the most valuable and eagerly anticipated casino development licences in the world.