After completion of the request-for-proposal (RFP) process, the MGM Resorts International and its local partner Orix, are the only partners left for the Osaka Government’s Integrated Resort (IR) project.
The govt. announced that the new potential project did not attract many contenders for the bid.
According to reports, the window period for the application of the proposal was too short which made it very difficult for the other private operators to apply. The MGM-Orix duo have longstanding access to the Osaka markets which assisted them in this process.
As per Gambling Insider reports, “MGM has expressed its intention to continue the Osaka IR, even though it is extremely difficult to manage. We are able to respond in good faith as a partner,” said Osaka Mayor Ichirō Matsui.
Osaka will likely request additional documents from the consortium in July, with September set as a deadline to select the IR partner. The construction could begin in 2023 with the projected opening date set for the latter half of the 2020s.