Osaka (pictured), the location for MGM Osaka, Japan’s first integrated resort (IR) with casino due to open in 2030, will witness an educational event on Wednesday (August 27) for leaders of neighbouring South Korea’s casino sector.
“South Korea Casino Industry Forum in Osaka” is at the Hilton Osaka. It is organised by the Korea Casino Association (KCA), a trade body for the South Korean industry, and the Tourism Sciences Society of Korea. The latter supports scholars and others who research the tourism and hospitality sectors.
The forum will examine the likely coming impact of MGM Osaka on South Korea’s own casino and tourist businesses, and explore response plans. The information was confirmed to GGRAsia by telephone.
Some South Korean media outlets have reported MGM Osaka might attract 7.6 million South Koreans annually. There are 17 South Korean casinos registered with the KCA but only one operator – Kangwon Land Inc, promoter of the Kangwon Land resort – is allowed to offer casino games to locals.
A representative from the KCA said those at the Osaka forum would include officials from Kangwon Land Inc. Its delegation would feature the firm’s acting director of the casino division.
Also slated to attend, are representatives of South Korea’s commercial-sector foreigner-only casinos; and the head of Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, a body of that Japanese prefecture.
Other Japanese contributors slated to be present include a representative of the Kansai Association of Corporate Executives, and scholars from several Japanese universities. Some South Korean academics will also make contributions.
Discussion topics include: ‘Current status and outlook for the development of the Osaka IR’; ‘What the Osaka IR means for Japan’s tourism industry and economy’; and ‘How to secure competitiveness and policy for South Korea’s casino industry’.
Kangwon Land Inc said in its own update on the event, that the firm would discuss at the forum its goal of being an IR with global appeal. Its representatives would also visit on Thursday the construction site for the Osaka IR.
MGM Osaka, a JPY1.27-trillion (US$8.59-billion currently) scheme, is a venture involving United States-based casino group MGM Resorts International, Japan’s Orix Corp, and other local investors.
AloJapan.com