James Packer’s chief lieutenant in his push to enter Japan, Todd Nisbet, has met with Osaka governor Ichiro Matsui, who said the prefecture was committed to developing Asia’s top integrated casino resort.
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Mr Nisbet, who is the executive vice-president, strategy and design of Mr Packer’s Crown Resorts, said he and Mr Matsui discussed reasons that Osaka would be a good resort location if Japan pushed ahead in opening up its casino industry.
Those reasons included the nearby 24-hour international airport and cheaper land compared to other major Japanese cities.
Osaka is seen as a leading candidate for a casino should a bill planned for this autumn pass the Diet. In a clear sign of confidence that the legislation will pass, Osaka has set aside part of a man-made island in Osaka Bay, Yumeshima, for a casino resort.
In emailed correspondence with Business Day, Mr Nisbett said Crown had been meeting local government representatives and businesses to discuss ''the tourism and economic benefits that integrated resorts can bring to the country''.
On Thursday Mr Nisbet gave a presentation to an integrated resort conference in Osaka, hosted by media company Nikkei. About 1100 poeople attended the event, including the chief executive of Singapore casino Marina Bay Sands, George Tanasijevich.
Nikkei reported this week that the Japanese government plans to choose three locations to develop casinos.
Crown hopes to enter the market, which analysts have estimated could be worth $US15 billion annually. The company will push into Japan via its Macau-based joint venture Melco Crown, which has promised to invest $US5 billion if it wins a future bid. Mr Nisbet is a director of Melco Crown.
In anticipation of the legislation’s ratification, a number of global casino operators, such as Melco and Las Vegas Sands have been busily meeting with potential Japanese partners.
One industry described the pace of the networking as akin to ''speed dating''.
Mr Nisbet said Crown was discussing partnerships with other businesses, including in property, entertainment and tourism, but emphasised the parliamentary process still had some way to go. ''It is still very early and until the parliamentary debate is completed it is important we respect the Japanese processes,'' he said.
An Osaka government delegation visited Crown’s Melbourne casino last year and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Singapore’s two casinos in May.
''The expectation is that Japan will have its own unique IR [integrated resort] model that draws on best practice global regulations and structures,'' Mr Nisbet said. ''We believe ... Australia, along with countries like Singapore, can provide successful case studies for Japan.''
But not everyone is excited about the prospect of legalising casinos. In June Tokyo’s governor Yoichi Masuzoe said casinos were not a top priority and called for more debate on potential problems that they could spark, including money laundering.
