MGM Resorts says construction of its Osaka integrated resort remains on schedule, reinforcing the likelihood that the group will open Japan’s first legal casino resort in 2030 and operate without direct domestic competition for several years.
Speaking on the company’s Q1 earnings call, CEO Bill Hornbuckle said the project was progressing well and noted that MGM expected to be Japan’s only casino operator on opening.
The update matters because Japan’s second integrated resort application window will not reopen until May to November 2027. With only the Osaka project formally approved so far, any rival development would still face a lengthy licensing, financing and construction process even if a second bid succeeds.
MGM said more than 40% of the foundation piles had been installed or completed, while the first concrete floor had been poured and the first structural steel erected.
The company expects to fund between $200m and $225m into the project this year after investing $140m in Q1, with much of that covered by the Yen-denominated credit facility arranged last October.
The Osaka resort is being developed with local partner Orix, with each holding a 40% stake. Current plans point to an opening in late 2030. Once complete, the scheme is expected to become Japan’s first full-scale integrated resort, combining casino gaming with hotels, convention space, entertainment and broader tourism infrastructure.
For MGM, the commercial attraction is clear. Japan offers a population of more than 120 million and international visitor numbers above 40 million a year, making Osaka one of the most closely watched long term growth projects in the global casino sector.
