Nagasaki Vice-Governor Ken Hirata has outlined candidate operator partners in an integrated resort have estimated the capital investment in a Nagasaki IR to be between US$3.2 billion to US$4.2 billion, while the winning bid will need to demonstrate support for the entire Kyushu region.
Details of Nagasaki’s operator expectations were offered by Hirata in an exclusive video interview with Inside Asian Gaming, coming after the prefecture launched its Request for Proposal (RFP) on 7 January.
With an operator expected to be named by summer, the Vice-Governor said that operators have so far expressed plans to invest between JPY350 billion (US$3.2 billion) and JPY460 billion (US$4.2 billion). “Nagasaki Prefecture itself is not in a position to state how much the total investment will be, and the optimal investment amount will be based on the operators’ proposals,” Hirata said.
“One thing to note, Nagasaki’s IR site is next to the Huis Ten Bosch theme park, which has been in operation for over 20 years. Their business operation will of course be independent from the IR, but there are merits for investing to develop an area that is next to an existing tourist site.
“The same investment amount can be used more effectively here.”
Hirata also explained some of the key factors Nagasaki officials will be looking for in selecting its operator partner.
“The national government has put emphasis on track record of casino operation – I also believe that casino operation track record in an international market is ideal. However, this is something that applies anywhere in Japan,” he said.
“As for Nagasaki, we have expectations for positive contribution to local economy and employment. Furthermore, we have the support of the whole Kyushu region, so we would like to see proposals that have Kyushu in mind as well.
“An IR is not an enclosed environment and the proposal should include various ways to expand tourism.
“Tourism in the Kyushu region and western Japan should be addressed, contributing to the local economy by purchasing local ingredients and products.
“Nagasaki prefecture hopes to partner with an operator which can successfully do the aforementioned things.”
There are currently four known contenders for a Nagasaki IR: Oshidori International Holdings, Casinos Austria, Pixel Companyz in collaboration with Groupe Partouche, and a consortium comprising Get Nice Holdings and Current Corp. However, it has been reported that at least three more companies – comprising two from the US and one from Asia – are also planning to take part in Nagasaki’s RFP.
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