Wakayama Prefecture’s recently confirmed IR partner Clairvest Neem Ventures has announced AMSE Resorts Japan – a company linked with former Las Vegas Sands (LVS) executive William Weidner – and French casino operator Groupe Partouche as its consortium partners as it prepares its national bid to develop an integrated resort at Wakayama Marina City.
Both Clairvest and Groupe Partouche released announcements on their new partnership Monday, with the latter having previously been involved in an unsuccessful bid to develop an integrated resort in Nagasaki alongside Pixel Companyz and TTL Resorts.
According to media reports, the newly joined AMSE Resorts Japan is funded by Weidner’s Global Gaming Asset Management (GGAM) which counts former LVS President of Global Business and Construction Bradley Stone and former Melco PBL Entertainment COO Garry Saunders among its management team.
Mario Ho, the youngest son of Stanley Ho, is also said to be involved with the Wakayama consortium.
“The members have a common vision for a Japanese IR business,” said Jeff Parr, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Clairvest Group.
“The IR business aims to revitalize the region by increasing the visits of overseas customers to Wakayama Prefecture and the Kansai region. We believe it will contribute to the economic recovery from the effects of the coronavirus.”
The consortium will now work with Wakayama to create and refine a development plan before submitting its application to the Japanese government before the 28 April 2022 deadline. The opening date of an IR should they receive approval remains up for debate, however, with the prefecture hoping for spring of 2026 and Clairvest proposing the fall of 2027.
Clairvest was officially selected as Wakayama’s IR partner last week following the sudden withdrawal of the only other candidate, Suncity Group, citing uncertainty as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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