Japan is largely viewed as an untapped potential by the gambling industry. Since the country greenlit three casino licenses, several companies have been eyeing opportunities for building a casino resort in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Kyushu Resorts Japan, a consortium led by Casinos Austria, sought to grab one of the licenses and presented a Nagasaki-based casino project. The local government approved the consortium’s presentation over competitors, such as Mohegan and Groupe Partouche.

However, the project was ultimately shot down by the Casino Administration Committee, as the central government had financial concerns about the proposal. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Casinos Austria’s project couldn’t present enough evidence to support the certainty of financing.

The principal reason for this was the precarious situation of Credit Suisse, the financial services firm that would have supported the project.

As a result, Kyushu Resorts Japan was unable to secure the coveted gaming concession, sending the Nagasaki province back to the drawing board.  

As it turns out, the Casinos Austria-led consortium is not going to appeal the decision.

Kyushu Resorts Japan and the Nagasaki Prefecture Accepted the Decision

As the March 27 deadline for appealing the government’s decision approaches, Kyushu Resorts Japan announced that it doesn’t plan to dispute the central government’s decision to block the project.

Takashi Oya, the consortium’s chief executive, told GGRAsia that no administrative appeal request will be filed by his team. He explained that the unclearness of the government’s criteria and a lack of understanding led to the project’s downfall.  

Kengo Oishi, Nagasaki’s governor, is also expected to agree with the decision. Many expect him to make a public statement very soon.

Had the project been approved, Kyushu Resorts Japan would have constructed a $3.3 billion casino resort, primarily financed by Credit Suisse. The casino complex would have included as many as 2,220 slots, 220 gaming tables and 8 hotels.

In the meantime, the Osaka Integrated Resort project began construction, marking the coming of casino gaming to Japan.

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