Japan's northernmost Hokkaido Prefecture has sparked new discussions about the casino resort (IR) development policy, with Governor Naomichi Suzuki formally requesting national authorities to review the results of the first round of IR applications at a media conference on January 16. The first round of applications concluded in December 2023, with only Osaka Prefecture's project approved, Nagasaki Prefecture not approved, and Yokohama City and Wakayama Prefecture not even submitting applications. This situation has led Hokkaido to question the fairness of the approval mechanism, and with the next round of IR application window (May 6 to November 5, 2027) not far away, Hokkaido is forming an expert group to create a regional IR concept, preparing for the bidding. Relevant Japanese IR project compliance cases and policy interpretations can be found on the PASA official website.
Review Appeal: First Round IR Approval Faces Deep Scrutiny
Hokkaido's call for review stems from the "dismal battle situation" of the first round of IR applications, with core questions focusing on three points:
Low participation and approval rates: A maximum of 3 IR licenses can be issued nationally, with only one project (MGM Osaka) approved in the first round, with a total investment of 1.51 trillion yen, scheduled to open by the end of 2030; many potential candidate regions either stopped at the application stage or were not approved;
Governor directly points out core issues: Naomichi Suzuki bluntly stated, "The national government needs to clarify the underlying reasons," suggesting that the approval standards may not take into account regional differences, and copying the metropolitan resort model is not appropriate;
Early preparation for the next round: Hokkaido has submitted a position paper, calling on policymakers to tailor the IR model to the region, rather than a "one-size-fits-all" approach, which is also the key initial intention for requesting a review of the first round results.
It is worth mentioning that Hokkaido had intended to participate in the first round of applications but withdrew before the official submission at the end of 2019, and now shows clear enthusiasm for the new round of bidding.
Local Preparation: 9-Person Expert Group to Create "Hokkaido-style IR"
To stand out in the 2027 bidding, Hokkaido has started substantial preparatory work:
Forming a professional expert panel: The newly established IR expert panel consists of 9 local specialists covering business, tourism, and gambling addiction research, with clear division of labor;
Clear core responsibilities: To establish the "basic stance" of Hokkaido IR as well as to create a "Hokkaido-style IR concept" that fits local conditions, avoiding replication of urban projects;
Multi-dimensional balanced discussion: At the first meeting, business and tourism representatives emphasized the economic benefits of IR, while addiction experts focused on discussing risks and mitigation strategies; the second meeting is scheduled for February 3, to further explore facility scale, functional positioning, and integration with the community.
Policy Background: 2027 Bidding Window and Regulatory Upgrade
Hokkaido's actions coincide with a key adjustment period for Japan's IR policy and regulation:
2027 application cycle clarified: The national government has just completed public consultation, setting the new round of application window from May 6 to November 5, 2027, with 2 licenses still to be issued;
Some regions show negative attitudes: Wakayama Prefecture and Fukuoka Prefecture have clearly stated that they are unlikely to participate in the 2027 bidding, reflecting the regional imbalance still existing in Japan's IR expansion;
Increased regulatory efforts: This month, the Cabinet approved the fiscal 2026 budget draft, with the budget for the Japan Casino Regulatory Commission increasing by 5.4%, directly related to the license issuance and compliance review workload brought by the MGM Osaka project.
Hokkaido's review appeal and local preparation essentially aim to clarify the issues of the first round, create regional features, and gain an advantage in the 2027 IR bidding, also providing new references for the regional adaptability of Japan's IR policy.
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This article is from "PASA-Global iGaming Leaders" gambling industry news channel:https://t.me/pasa_news
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