On April 24, 2025, a ceremonial groundbreaking marked the beginning of construction for MGM Osaka, Japan’s first integrated resort casino, situated on the man-made island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay. The event, attended by officials from MGM Resorts International and Orix Corporation, featured traditional sake barrel-breaking to signify a new beginning. This ¥1.27 trillion (approximately $8.9 billion) project is anticipated to be completed by 2030. It will position itself as a significant player in Asia’s gaming and tourism industry.
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Features at the MGM Osaka
MGM Osaka is envisioned as a comprehensive entertainment hub. It will feature 2,500 hotel rooms across three brands: MGM Osaka, MGM Villas, and MUSUBI Hotel. The resort will also include a 3,500-seat theater, 400,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space, a spa and fitness center. Additionally, there will be numerous restaurants and bars, a shopping mall, and a public park. Furthermore, a dedicated facility promoting tourism throughout Japan. The casino, occupying no more than 3% of the resort’s total indoor area as per Japanese regulations. As such, it is expected to offer around 2,000 slot machines and 200 table games.
Project Overview
Location: Osaka, Japan
Project Cost: US$ 8.9 Billion
Completion year: 2030
Number of hotel rooms: 2,500
Project Architects: Nikken Sekkei, Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei Inc., and NTT Facilities, Inc.
Developers: MGM Resorts International and Orix Corp
Japan’s Gambling Problem
To address concerns about gambling addiction, Japanese nationals will be required to pay a ¥3,000 (approximately $21) entrance fee to access the casino. Osaka residents paying an additional municipal fee, doubling the cost to ¥6,000 (approximately $42). These measures aim to mitigate potential negative social impacts while allowing the country to benefit from increased tourism and economic activity.
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An interesting aspect of the MGM Osaka project is its location on Yumeshima Island, which is also the site of Expo 2025. This strategic positioning is expected to enhance the island’s appeal as a tourist destination. In addition, it will leverage the global attention from the Expo to boost the resort’s profile. Additionally, plans are underway to extend the Osaka Metro Chūō Line to Yumeshima. This will improve accessibility to the island and integrating the resort more seamlessly into the city’s transportation network.
