Casinos Austria International has been chosen to develop and operate an integrated resort (IR) in Nagasaki, set to cover 31 hectares at the Huis Ten Bosch theme park in Sasebo.
Casinos Austria has already said the IR will feature eight hotels, including some from Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Inside Asian Gaming reports. It will also offer “a gambling experience of the highest international standards”.
Niki & Chyau Fwu (Parkview) Group, Oshidori International Development and Casinos Austria were the final candidates in the race to create the Nagasaki IR.
Nagasaki launched an RFC for developing the IR in October 2019. After kicking off its RFP process in January 2021, Nagasaki selected the three interested parties in March.
Casinos Austria owns and operates casinos
Casinos Austria owns and operates casinos, lotteries and online betting, with 12 casinos in Austria and 13 casinos globally. The company has a total of 230 tables and 3,200 slot machines.
“By passing this milestone in the award process in Japan, Casinos Austria International has once again demonstrated the kind of excellent reputation that the company enjoys abroad,” said Casinos Austria CEO Bettina Glatz-Kremsner.
“After years of restructuring, Casinos Austria International is back on track. Its know-how and expertise in the development and operation of such complex projects continue to be impressive.
“I wish Casinos Austria International, under Christoph Zurucker-Burda’s management, all the best and that they will be awarded one of the three licences next year, together with Nagasaki Prefecture.”
Nagasaki will invest up to $4.2 billion in IR
The Asahi Shimbun reports that Nagasaki will invest up to 460 billion yen ($4.2 billion) in the IR. It’s estimated that the attraction will welcome between 6.9 million and 9.3 million visitors annually.
“We picked the company because it gives us the best prospects for turning our plan into a reality,” a prefectural official said.
Last year, Genting Singapore and Galaxy Entertainment exited the race to develop an IR in Osaka, leaving just MGM Resorts in the competition. The Osaka IR could launch as soon as 2027.
Image: Huis Ten Bosch
