Yokohama Suspends Integrated Resort Process Indefinitely

The Japanese governments plan for developing integrated resorts seems to again taken a back seat as one of the leading cities has announced it is indefinitely suspending the process for its local IR implementation policy.

Yokohama Mayor Fumiko Hayashi said that her city would not be releasing it policy on a casino resort until such time as the national government does so.

The city was due to issue its guidance on applying for a license in Yokohama back in June but that was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic and a new date of August was issued. However in a recent press conference the mayor said it was now indefinitely suspending the process until the central government offers more guidance on the process.

When asked if she thought that the delay would now push back any integrated resort opening till the end of 2020’s she replied, “I think the opening time for the IR will be quite late.”

The excitement of integrated resorts in Japan has waned over recent years for international operators and with more and more delays from the government and one gaming consultant said to the iGaming Post, “there now is a strong possibility that we will never see casinos being built in Japan at all.”