2025 was supposed to be Thailand’s year. Big plans, big promises—casinos were finally going to be legal, and online gambling too. For a moment, it felt like the country was ready to step into a new era. But just as things began to roll, the wheels came off.
Thailand’s proposed casino bill has hit significant roadblocks, and not just one. Delays are accumulating, and the reasons are mounting even higher—legal issues, cultural concerns, political hesitation, and now a clear shift in public opinion.
The government’s own legal advisory body, the Council of State, is wary of the proposal. Stakeholders are concerned about the bill’s disproportionate emphasis on gambling, neglecting critical elements like entertainment, tourism, and cultural showcases essential for an integrated resort’s success.
The lack of explicit responsible gambling plans, such as tax collection and oversight, was flagged. Critics, including the Stop Gambling Foundation, highlight these deficiencies.
Even the public is quite sceptical of the proposal. According to a survey, nearly 60 percent of Thais now say they are against the development of casino resorts. That’s a sharp change. Even former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva stepped in, warning that legalising casinos could worsen pertinent social issues like gambling addiction, rising debts, and crime.
These developments have raised questions about the bill’s future. Some experts now think it may not pass before the next general election in 2027. What was once promoted as Thailand’s major economic initiative now appears to be a defensive strategy. But while Thailand stumbles, someone else is seizing the moment: Japan.
MGM Osaka breaks ground
On April 24, 2025, construction officially began for MGM Osaka. More than 20 years after the idea was first proposed, work is now underway. It’s taking place on Yumeshima, a man-made island in Osaka Bay, and it promises to be massive.
This is Japan’s first integrated resort casino, a ¥1.27 trillion (€8.3 billion) mega project led by MGM Resorts International and Japan’s Orix Corporation. The firm is looking at a five-year construction window, with a grand opening slated for 2030.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Ed Bowers, CEO of MGM Resorts Japan. “I’ve been working on this for over 15 years. No one is happier than I am to see this finally happening.”
MGM possesses a 42.5 percent stake and aims big from its Osaka project. The company envisions that MGM Osaka has the potential to emerge as the highest-grossing casino in Asia, generating approximately $6 billion (€5.29 billion) in annual gaming revenue.
The resort is set to offer 2,500 hotel rooms distributed among three brands: MGM Osaka, MGM Villas, and MUSUBI Hotel. It will also feature a theater with a seating capacity of 3,500, 400,000 square feet dedicated to meeting and exhibition space, a public park, numerous dining establishments, a luxury spa, and a comprehensive shopping mall.
The casino itself, which is legally limited to occupying no more than 3 percent of the indoor space, is expected to feature approximately 2,000 slot machines and 200 table games.
More construction plans in sight
Japan, however, is not slowing down. Prior to the groundbreaking ceremony of MGM Osaka, authorities plan to launch a new request-for-proposal (RFP) process for Phase 2 of the Yumeshima development, GGR Asia reports. The next stage, spanning 50 hectares, is designed to aid the integrated resort with an expanded array of attractions.
Phase 2 will centre around a “global entertainment zone” divided into four distinct segments. Proposed features include an international motorsports circuit, luxury hotels, water parks, social and leisure spaces, and additional facilities to support MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) tourism.
Construction giants Obayashi Corporation and Takenaka Corporation, both already involved in the MGM Osaka project, have submitted “excellent proposals” that are now progressing. Notably, both firms also hold equity stakes in the MGM Osaka project through the Osaka IR KK consortium.
So, as evident, while Thailand’s aspirations regarding casinos continue to be clouded by ambiguity, Japan seems to be advancing with significant momentum, intensifying its development efforts and gaining regional prominence. With the establishment of MGM Osaka now underway, the primary focus of gaming in Asia may be transitioning decisively towards the east.
