Officials held a groundbreaking ceremony in April 2024 for MGM Osaka, the integrated resort being built on Yumeshima Island in Osaka, according to an account of the project's architectural documents1. Ground preparation at the site had started in late 20231.
The resort's centrepiece is a 27-storey tower rising 126 meters, with two hotels holding 1,840 rooms inside it1. A separate casino floor is built to take 6,000 gaming machines plus table games, and the wider plan describes 23,293 square meters holding 470 gaming tables and 6,400 electronic gaming machines1. A third hotel in the same development reaches 56 meters over 13 floors above ground plus one basement floor, with 660 rooms1. After opening, the resort expects to offer 2,500 hotel rooms across three hotel brands, alongside 730,000 square feet of MICE and tourism space1.
The total cost is put at nearly 10 billion USD1. MGM Resorts and ORIX each own nearly 40 percent of project shares, with 22 investors holding the rest1. MGM named Steve Zanella as President and Chief Operating Officer for Japan in 2023 from Las Vegas1.
Developers plan construction to run for several years and aim to finish the full resort in 20301. Japan's Integrated Resorts Act sets a limit, and the government may approve up to three resorts in the entire country1. A new application period runs from 6 May to 5 November 2027, with regions including Hokkaido and Nagasaki expected to send applications1.
"Ground preparation for the resort started in late 2023"
What it means for players
MGM Osaka is described as Japan's first integrated resort to open its doors, and the casino floor is planned for both Japanese and foreign visitors1. Land-based casinos inside integrated resorts are legal in Japan under strong controls, while online casinos remain banned and Japanese residents cannot play on any licensed online casino in the country1. Politicians and industry experts have discussed whether the laws will change later as interest grows in online sports and casino games, but no official legal plans exist yet1. Details of entry rules, fees or play limits for the Osaka casino are not set out in the account of the project documents1. For background on access and house rules at resorts across the region, see Casinos and Integrated Resorts in Asia: Who Can Enter, What You Can Play and the Rules Inside, and for the Japanese market generally, Can I Gamble in Japan?.
What happens next
Construction is planned to run for several years, with the full resort targeted for completion in 20301. Japan's next integrated resort application window runs from 6 May to 5 November 20271. The opening date for MGM Osaka has not been reported beyond the 2030 completion target; see When Will the Osaka Casino Resort Open? for the timeline as it develops.
