A Tokyo-based tech conglomerate has joined the competition for a destination casino in Nagasaki.
TSE-listed Pixel Companyz, whose portfolio includes systems development for the financial industry, IT support, renewable energy and an entertainment division engaged in developing and manufacturing casino machine games, is the latest entrant in what is becoming a crowded field in the port city of 400,000 on the island of Kyushu.
Oshidori International Holdings, a Hong Kong-traded financial services company, is also pursuing a bid, as is Casinos Austria International and a consortium comprising Get Nice Holdings, a Hong Kong-listed investment group, and Current Corp., a Japanese company.
Pixel is developing its bid in partnership with European casino giant Groupe Partouche, which previously was allied with Oshidori.
“We see Nagasaki as a great opportunity to create a unique regional resort that suits the strengths of the region and our consortium,” said Pixel Chief Executive Hiroaki Yoshida. “We look to create an integrated resort that will promote regional tourism and businesses, will revitalise the local community and bring out the best of local and international culture.”
In preparation, Pixel is reported to be developing a non-gaming resort hotel on the Japanese island of Okinawa.
The company said also it has been in contact with Nagasaki authorities, whose expected request for proposals has been postponed, as they have in the rest of the country, primarily due to the impacts of the Covid pandemic. As it stands, the national government isn’t expected to begin accepting bids from prospective host cities until next October. Three cities will be chosen, with one casino license granted to each, as part of a liberalization scheme formulated by the previous government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to stimulate local economic development through tourism.
Though gambling and betting are widespread in Japan, casinos have long been prohibited.
