Lawrence Ho would relocate both himself and the company’s headquarters to Japan if Melco Resorts & Entertainment was awarded a casino license by the Japanese government.
In an interview with Reuters over the weekend, the Chairman and CEO reiterated his view that Japan will become Asia’s most significant gaming jurisdiction outside of Macau with Melco set to go “all-in” in its pursuit of a license.
“It’s not just any ordinary project and will become the most important project outside Macau,” Ho said.
“I would personally move here while we are building it and we would move the core management team and headquarters here.”
Melco Resorts unveiled its Japan IR concept titled “The City of the Future” in Tokyo on Thursday – a futuristic and eco-friendly integrated resort boasting state-of-the art facial recognition technology aimed at combatting problem gambling.
The concept aims to create the most advanced gaming and entertainment destination in the world while still holding true to the distinct history and heritage of Japan, with Melco stating that its “team of architects, advisors and environmental specialists are working to make the site both energy-neutral and aesthetically daring.
“Design teams have imagined a futuristic façade that seamlessly integrates into the surrounding environment while subtly expressing key motifs in Japanese landscape design. And integrated throughout the entire property will be the world’s most advanced facial recognition technology for enabling responsible gaming and security.
“Developed directly by Melco, the biometric intelligence system would make the proposed Melco IR the safest and most protected site possible using commercial technologies today.”
Melco also promised to offer the Japanese government back-end access and data sharing with its systems free-of-charge to ensure effective collaboration in safeguarding against potential gaming-related social issues.
LDP reintroduces gambling addiction bill to parliament
While Melco Resorts ups the ante in its pursuit of a license, Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party reintroduced a gambling addiction to the House of Representatives on Friday according to the Jiji Press.
The bill sets out various measures aimed at combating gambling addiction including treatment and rehabilitation programs
The head of the LDP’s working group, Gen Nakatani, said the government would look to push the bill through parliament quickly with the LDP and coalition partner Komeito to seek cooperation from the opposition Nippon Ishin no Kai party.
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