Business leaders in Sasebo have called for renewed efforts to secure an integrated resort as Japanese regions prepare to compete for the country’s two remaining casino licences.
The Sasebo Chamber of Commerce and Industry has submitted a written request asking mayor Daisuke Miyajima to consider reviving the city’s integrated-resort plans.
Japan’s next application window will run from May 6 to November 5, 2027. Local governments must prepare their proposals in partnership with private-sector casino and resort developers.
Takuya Kaneko, chairman of the chamber, said an integrated resort could support economic development in Sasebo and the northern part of Nagasaki Prefecture.
He argued that the experience accumulated during the region’s previous application would give Sasebo an advantage over prospective locations entering the process for the first time.
Miyajima said the city should examine the possibility of another application while monitoring decisions by Japan’s national government and Nagasaki Prefecture.
The mayor indicated that potential locations could include land around the Huis Ten Bosch theme park or alternative sites elsewhere in Sasebo.
Nagasaki submitted its original integrated-resort development plan to the national government in 2022. Casinos Austria International had been selected to lead the proposed development beside Huis Ten Bosch.
Japan rejected the application in December 2023 after raising concerns about the supporting financing arrangements and the experience of prospective investors.
Any renewed proposal would require the backing of Nagasaki Prefecture, as Sasebo does not have the authority to apply directly to the national government.
No casino operator, investment consortium or financing package has been confirmed for a second attempt. Huis Ten Bosch owner PAG has also not committed the theme park or adjacent land to another proposal.
Business representatives in nearby Omura, which accommodates Nagasaki Airport, have separately established a group to examine the feasibility of an integrated resort.
Japan authorised up to three casino resorts under legislation introduced in 2018, but only one project received approval during the original application process.
MGM Resorts International and Japanese financial services group Orix are developing the JPY1.51tn (US$9.47bn) MGM Osaka integrated resort on Yumeshima island. The property is scheduled to open towards the end of 2030.
Aichi and Hokkaido are among the other regions assessing potential bids ahead of the 2027 application round, while Wakayama has indicated that it could support a credible private-sector proposal.
