Osaka prefecture and city have chosen two of the seven people who will form a committee to choose the region’s integrated resort partner. That partner will develop and operate a casino complex in the region. Global gaming companies interested in the area include the consortium involving U.S.-based MGM Resorts International and Japanese financial services group Orix Corp.; the Japan unit of Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.; and Genting Singapore Ltd., a unit of Malaysian-based Genting group.
Operators who have bowed out of Osaka include Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd., the Las Vegas Sands Corp. and Wynn Resorts Ltd.
The committee chiefs are Chairman Yoshiki Nishizawa, said to be the chief director of the University Public Corp. Osaka and Vice Chairman Hiroshi Mizobata, head of the Osaka Convention and Tourism Bureau.
