The Niki, Oshidori International Development and Casinos Austria are the final candidates in the race to develop and operate an integrated resort (IR) at the Huis Ten Bosch theme park in Sasebo, Nagasaki, reports Inside Asian Gaming.
In October 2019, Nagasaki launched an RFC for developing the IR. After starting its RFP process in January 2021, Nagasaki selected the three interested parties in March. The winner is set to be announced in late August.
Samuel Yin Shao Yang, associate director of Maybank Kim Eng Investment Bank, estimated that the Nagasaki IR would enjoy gross gaming revenue of approximately $1.5 billion annually.
Casinos Austria owns and operates casinos, lotteries and online betting, with 12 casinos in Austria and 13 casinos globally. “Casinos Austria has a very solid reputation for operating small European-style casinos.
Casinos Austria in Nagasaki IR race
“However, they do not have experience in designing, developing and operating large IRs,” said industry veteran Niall Murray.
“Casinos Austria is not a very large player in the IR industry and does not have access to an extremely large war chest,” Murray added. “However, the company has a number of factors working in its favour when it comes to raising finance.”
The Niki is a branch of Niki Club, which previously ran the Niki Resort in Nasu, Tochigi. Its partner, the Parkview Group, is linked to construction and development company Chyau Fwu.
“Our consortium is formed with some of the most experienced professionals in the sector,” said the Niki. “Companies and executives have worked at each of the top five gaming operators worldwide.”
The Niki chosen as Japan IR candidate
“This includes designing, constructing, opening and managing the largest IRs in Las Vegas, Singapore, Macau, Australia, Philippines and Europe,” the Niki added. “The planned investment amount is approximately JPY 350 billion ($3.2 billion).
“We have selected one of the world’s top five operators, bringing a wealth of expertise in designing, developing and operating IRs.”
Finally, Oshidori International Development was formed to bid for the Nagasaki project, and is supported by its parent company Oshidori International Holdings.
Oshidori International Development hired former executives of MGM Resorts with decades of IR experience and announced its operator partner as Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment.
Oshidori International Development bid
“Our team has vast experience in IRs and has been involved in the design, development, opening or management of 52 IRs around the world,” said Oshidori. “Our current budget for the project is JPY 480 billion ($4.3 billion).”
“Our operating partner is Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment. Mohegan owns or operates eight resorts around the world,” Oshidori International Development added.
Earlier this year, Osaka Convention and Tourism Bureau director Hiroshi Mizohata revealed the Osaka IR could launch as soon as 2027.
Prior to that, Genting Singapore and Galaxy Entertainment exited the race to develop the IR in Osaka, leaving just MGM Resorts in the competition.
Image: Huis Ten Bosch
