Skift Take
Japan's casino dreams are ramping up as Osaka IR takes a leap of faith, ditching its exit clause. But with rising costs and public doubts, the stakes are sky-high. Will this gamble succeed, or is Japan risking a costly blunder in a competitive market?
Japan appears on track to welcome its first casino by 2030. Osaka IR, the operator of Japan’s long-awaited first casino resort, has forfeited its right to withdraw from the project within the next two years, as per reports.
Osaka IR initially had the right to withdraw from the project if tourism to Japan didn’t recover to pre-pandemic levels or if other financial or logistical hurdles became insurmountable.
This clause, which had allowed withdrawal until September 2026, was extended twice, giving the operator more time to assess the feasibility of moving forward.
However, the operator has now chosen to relinquish this safety net. As reported by Nikkei Asia, the operator has officially forfeited the right to exit, signaling a firm commitment to pushing ahead.
Osaka IR is a joint venture between