Crown Resorts target Osaka for casino resort

Crown Resorts have had constructive meetings over the possibility of the casino operator opening a resort in Osaka Japan, should the government as expected legalise land based casino in the country.

Todd Nesbit who is the Executive Vice President for Crown is responsible to see through the successful conclusion of the company obtaining a gambling license in Japan and with the Tokyo now removed as a destination for casino resorts, Crown are focussing on Osaka.

A recent meeting with Osaka governor Ichiro Matsui was fruitful and Mr Nisbet said they discussed reasons that Osaka would be a good resort location if Japan pushed ahead in opening up its casino industry.

The nearby 24-hour international airport is a big plus for Osaka along with cheaper land compared to other major Japanese cities.

Crown hopes to enter the market, which analysts have estimated could be worth $US15 billion annually. The company will push into Japan via its Macau based joint venture Melco Crown, which has promised to invest $US5 billion if it wins a future bid.

Japanese media company Nikkei reported that the government will issue three casino resort licenses in the first round of applications which is hoped will be up and running prior to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.