The government of Yokohama, Japan is preparing to accept bids from would-be integrated resort (IR) operators.
Starting February 5 and continuing through May 17, the city will accept applications, which then will be reviewed between June 1 and June 11. An operator will be selected sometime in the summer, according to Inside Asian Gaming, and public hearings will be held for the rest of the year. City council is scheduled to vote on the matter sometime in March 2022; that phase will be followed by an application to the central government, to be submitted by April.
If Yokohama is chosen as one of the country’s first three IR host cities, it intends to open the facility in the latter half of the decade.
Yokohama reportedly called for a longer RFP period to give the Las Vegas Sands Corp. and Wynn Resorts an opportunity to return to the market after bowing out last year. It also would allow any company interested in Tokyo to opt for Yokohama if the capital city declines to participate.
In a statement, the city said an IR would help make Yokohama a global destination. “Along with conveying the attractions of tourism in Japan to the world, Yokohama will become a gateway to Japan for inbound visitors from across the world, as we will be their landing point for attractive tourist locations across Japan,” it said.
“Through this project, we will contribute to Japan’s growth strategy, which aims to bring in 60 million foreign visitors and JPY 1.5 trillion (US$14.5 billion) in foreigner consumption in 2030, contributing to Japan’s sustainable growth.”
GGRAsia reports that five private-sector firms have also chosen to take part. They include Macau operator Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.; Genting Singapore Ltd, promoter of Singapore casino complex Resorts World Sentosa; global casino group Melco Resorts and Entertainment Ltd.; Japan-based entertainment and gaming conglomerate Sega Sammy Holdings Inc.; and Japanese group Shotoku Corp.
