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MGM Resorts International Inc MGM and Macau-based Galaxy Entertainment Group are leaders in obtaining licenses for Osaka casino resorts if casino gambling becomes legal in the country, the Japan Times reported, citing unidentified officials.
The newspaper said Osaka Governor Ichiro Matsui and Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto reacted negatively to Tuesday's bid for casino licenses by USJ Inc., the operator of Hollywood-themed entertainment park Universal Studios Japan in Osaka.
The USJ is looking for a partner to bid for an Osaka casino license, Tokyo news agency Kyodo News reported on Monday (pictured).
Mr. Hashimoto was quoted as saying, "I am not a relationship based on trust with USJ management."
The Japan Times quoted Matsui as saying, "USJ has no experience in casinos at all."
Since 2010, Osaka officials have been in and out of court to force the USJ to pay more for city properties it rents, the newspaper added.
If casino gambling is legalized, Osaka City plans to designate Yumeishima, a reclaimed land in Osaka Bay, as an integrated resort proposed to the city.
Japan's House of Representatives Cabinet Committee last month began discussing a bill to legalize an integrated resort. However, the Japanese parliament, known as the National Assembly, is currently in recess, meaning the bill can only be fully debated in the next session in the fall.
All the big Las Vegas operators and now Macau-only operators Galaxy Entertainment, Melco Crown Entertainment and SJM Holdings have expressed interest in the Japanese market.
BY: 파워볼사이트