The next step is imminent: after the long journey involving the legalization of gambling in Japan, the very first casino in the country, MGM Osaka, has officially broken ground. More than 20 years after the vision first materialized, MGM Osaka's groundwork is now being laid, and it is an $8.9 billion collaboration between MGM Resorts International and Orix Corporation, a Japan-based financial services firm.

After more than two decades of planning, MGM Osaka, Japan's first integrated casino resort, has officially broken ground. The nearly $9 billion project, spearheaded by Las Vegas-based MGM Resorts International and Japan's Orix Corporation, is now under construction on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay. Company executives and dignitaries gathered on the 24th of April to celebrate the start of a development that Japan hopes will significantly boost its tourism sector.

The massive $8.9 billion venture is projected to take five years to complete, with a grand opening slated for 2030.

A milestone years in the making

For Ed Bowers, CEO of MGM Resorts Japan, the groundbreaking marked a particularly emotional milestone. "I've been working on this for more than 15 years, and no one is happier than I am to see this happen," Bowers said during the ceremony. "It's not been an easy road, and we will continue to see challenges until and after this opens."

Despite the hurdles, MGM remained committed while other major operators - including Caesars Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands, and Wynn Resorts - exited Japan's drawn-out gaming approval process. MGM's perseverance now positions it to dominate the emerging Japanese market.

MGM holds a 42.5% ownership stake in the Osaka development, with Orix Corporation holding an equal share and the remaining stake split among local investors. The company projects MGM Osaka will become Asia's top-grossing casino, with an estimated annual gross gaming revenue of approximately $6 billion - surpassing the current leader, Galaxy Macau, which generates about $4.5 billion annually.

A destination resort for Japan and the world

MGM Osaka is all set to redefine Japan's tourism landscape. The integrated resort will offer 2,500 hotel rooms spread across three distinct brands: MGM Osaka, MUSUBI Hotel, and MGM Villas. Guests and visitors will also enjoy a sprawling 3,500-seat theater, over 400,000 square feet of exhibition and meeting space, a world-class spa and fitness center, a wide array of restaurants and bars, a lush public park, a shopping mall, and a facility dedicated to promoting tourism throughout the country.

The casino itself, by law, will occupy no more than 3% of the total indoor space. While specific gaming floor details are yet to be disclosed, MGM officials anticipate hosting around 200 table games and 2,000 slot machines.

To safeguard against potential gambling addiction, Japanese nationals must pay a ¥3,000 (about $21) entrance fee to gain access to the casino. Residents of Osaka will pay an additional municipal charge, doubling the entry cost to $42.

A long journey to Japan's casino market

The idea of integrated resorts in Japan first gained momentum under the leadership of Shinzo Abe, the late Prime Minister, who championed the legalization of casinos to stimulate tourism and economic growth. Following years of legislative debate, Japan's 2018 gaming law allowed up to three integrated resorts to be licensed nationwide.

Although the slow pace and strict regulatory environment discouraged many international operators, MGM remained steadfast. Former MGM Chief Executive Officer Jim Murren was among the earliest advocates, publicly supporting a Japanese expansion as early as 2014 and identifying Osaka as an ideal location.

With construction finally underway, MGM Osaka is positioned to hold a monopoly on casino gambling in Japan when it opens in 2030. However, there is growing speculation that the Japanese central government may open a second bidding period for additional casino projects in 2026.

As Japan looks to diversify its tourism offerings beyond traditional cultural attractions, MGM Osaka represents a bold step into the world of integrated resort entertainment. Once complete, the megaresort is expected to draw millions of visitors annually, transforming Yumeshima into one of Asia's premier leisure destinations.