Japan plans to open new IR bids in 2026, rivaling Thailand?
Speculation is mounting that Japan may launch a new application round for integrated resort (IR) projects in 2026. With the country’s gaming potential still largely untapped and only one IR, MGM Osaka approved so far, industry observers are closely watching for official confirmation.
While the Japanese government is yet to make a formal announcement, reports suggest that the process could take place in the latter half of 2026, aligning with Thailand’s planned casino proposal.
The initial IR framework had anticipated up to three casino licences, yet MGM Osaka’s JPY1.27 trillion (€8.53 billion) development remains the sole approved project, aiming for a 2030 launch. Japan’s authorities have been quietly assessing the interest of local governments, with the Japan Tourism Agency, part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, sending inquiries to the prefectural governments of Wakayama and Nagasaki in November.
Neither prefecture has confirmed its participation, with Wakayama previously opting out and Nagasaki failing to secure approval in the last round. Industry experts suggest that reopening applications may be a strategic move to keep the IR discussion “active.”
Moves behind the curtain
Mike Tanji, chairman of Tokyo-based Gaming Capital Management Inc., indicated that maintaining momentum under Japan’s Integrated Resort Act could be a key motivator for the government.
Calls for a new round have been made before. Last week, Wakayama Governor Shuhei Kishimoto reaffirmed the prefecture’s willingness to consider hosting an integrated resort (IR) with a casino if Japan’s national government announces a new application round. Wakayama borders Osaka prefecture to the north and Mie and Nara prefectures to Japan’s northeast.
While no official timeline has been provided, the Wakayama government is actively gathering information. Moreover, prefectures like Hokkaido are also keen to propose for an integrated resort.
In May 2024, former Japan Tourism Agency commissioner Norifumi Ide urged the government to restart the bidding process. He argued that a fresh round would provide clarity to regional governments still debating IR development behind closed doors.
Rivalry with Thailand
A major factor in Japan’s IR timeline is also the growing competition, particularly from neighbors like Thailand, which is expected to launch its own casino liberalisation process. A gaming-sector executive warned that a simultaneous bidding process in Japan and Thailand could limit the number of high-quality international casino operators willing to invest in both markets. “There are only a few quality bidders with the financial capacity to pursue multiple large-scale projects at once,” the executive noted.
According to industry sources, Thailand’s casino bidding process may begin as early as the first quarter of 2026, depending on the country’s political landscape. And so, Japan may follow suit at the same time.
With IRs typically requiring five to six years for development, Thailand’s first major resort could open around the same time as MGM Osaka in 2030. The government will need to act swiftly to retain investor interest, particularly as regional competition for large-scale gaming investments continues to intensify.
