MGM could spend $10 billion in Japan says Murren

James Murren

As Japan again pushes closer to legalising gambling in the country with fresh impetus James Murren the boss of MGM has said his company could plough in between $5 billion to $10 billion in developing a casino resort in the country depending on the location.

It has been long believed that Japan should it open its doors to gambling would become the world’s second largest gambling destination worth a reputed $40 billion a year in revenues. However years have now passed since the attempt to push through legislation but once more it seems that it come become reality following more support for the building of resorts.

Tokyo, Yokohama or Osaka. Are the main locations for operators and with Las Vegas Sands, Melco Crown Entertainment and Galaxy Entertainment all interested the stakes are high for them to win a license should the government legalise gambling.

Murren is looking at the potential of a publicly traded real estate investment trust to generate funds and said in an interview with Reuters, “We think there would be a tremendous amount of demand, and ultimately a public listing of these types of Japanese resorts would be very appealing.”

It is expected that should gambling become legal resorts could be operational by 2022/2023.