- MGM Resorts plans to hire 12,000 workers for its $12 billion Osaka integrated resort, marking its largest project in Asia
- Resort on Yumeshima island will feature luxury hotels, high-end retail, multiple dining options, and a theater, aiming to attract 20 million visitors annually
- Scheduled to open in Q3 2030, the development is expected to contribute approximately $6.4 billion to the regional economy over ten years
MGM Resorts International has announced plans to hire about 12,000 workers for its integrated resort under development in Osaka, in an indication of the magnitude and potential economic impact of the project. It made the announcement during a recent US licensing hearing where Chief Executive Officer William Hornbuckle provided fresh details on the flagship development now breaking ground on the man-made island of Yumeshima in Japan.
Costing about $12 billion, the Osaka resort represents MGM's largest project in Asia and a significant long-term bet on Japan's fledgling gambling market, already considered the second biggest in the world. Construction has now officially started after almost two decades of careful planning and navigating Japan's complicated regulatory system, says the CEO.
Describing the project as among the largest casino complexes in the world, Hornbuckle spoke of the need for a workforce in proportion to its unprecedented scale. He pointed out that Japan offers a rare opportunity, providing a single-operator casino license in a country of 120 million residents, which is something no other market in the world offers.
The project is modeled after the success of integrated resorts in Singapore, which have achieved a successful balance between entertainment, operational excellence, and responsible gaming. According to Hornbuckle, Singapore’s approach has served both as a model for and inspiration behind MGM’s vision, with important guidance on how to create a world-class, sustainable gaming and entertainment destination.
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Scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2030, the Osaka resort will be more than a casino project as it will be complemented by luxury hotels, high-end retail, and multiple dining facilities, as well as a theater, in a bid to create a fully-fledged visitor destination. Conveniently located near the venue for the 2025 World Expo, the resort is likely to draw about 20 million visitors every year and further spur tourism and local economic growth.
The construction cost is expected to be JPY1.27 trillion, or about US$8.1 billion, while the complex project cleared a protracted regulatory review and gained approval in 2023. Economists suggest that the contribution to the regional economy over ten years could be around JPY1 trillion, or about US$6.4 billion, from jobs, extra tourist spending, and related service sector growth.
The MGM Osaka Integrated Resort presents a watershed moment for Japan's gaming industry, setting a new standard for integrated resort development and operational standards. Combining a massive employment initiative with a multi-dimensional entertainment complex, the project is likely to reshape Osaka's cultural and economic horizon.
Carefully planned by MGM with inspiration from international best practices, the approach is strategic and responsible, aiming to position the resort as the destination of choice among domestic and international visitors. Moving forward in construction, this Osaka resort is poised to be at the very heart of shaping the future of Japanese tourism, gaming, and regional development, opening up further opportunities for large-scale, world-class integrated resorts across the country.
