Japan’s northernmost prefecture has initiated a renewed debate over the country’s casino resort development policy, as Hokkaido’s governor requested that national authorities assess the outcome of the first integrated resort (IR) application round, which closed with only one approved candidate.

Hokkaido Seeks Answers Ahead of 2027 Bid Window

Governor Naomichi Suzuki delivered the request during a media briefing on January 16, noting that, “Only Osaka prefecture was approved. Nagasaki prefecture was not approved. Yokohama city and Wakayama prefecture did not make applications. I think that the [national] government needs to examine the reasons behind that.” His comments came one day before Hokkaido’s newly formed IR expert panel convened for the first time.

The national government recently completed public consultation on its proposed schedule for the next IR application period, slated to run from May 6 to November 5, 2027. Hokkaido confirmed it had submitted opinion documents urging policymakers to consider models tailored to regional environments, rather than assuming that resort formats suited to major metropolitan areas would apply uniformly across the country.

The prefecture previously expressed interest in the initial application cycle but withdrew in late 2019 before formal submissions began. The first round, which concluded in December 2023, resulted in the selection of a single project: MGM Osaka, a JPY1.51-trillion development currently scheduled to open by the end of 2030.

Expert Panel Develops a Regional IR Concept

As reported by GGRAsia, the new panel consists of nine specialists based within Hokkaido, covering business, tourism, and the study of gambling addiction. Its mandate is to shape both the prefecture’s “Basic stance on IR of Hokkaido prefecture” and a “Hokkaido-Style IR Concept” intended to reflect local conditions.

The panel’s opening session featured contributions from business and tourism representatives who expressed expectations for potential economic benefits, contrasted with presentations from addiction specialists who outlined risk factors and mitigation strategies. A second meeting has been scheduled for February 3, as discussions advance on facility scale, functions, and appropriate integration with surrounding communities.

Officials in Wakayama and Fukuoka have already indicated they are unlikely to participate in the 2027 cycle, signaling that Japan’s IR expansion remains uneven despite the statutory allowance for up to three resort licenses nationwide. With two licenses still available beyond Osaka, Hokkaido’s deliberations are drawing attention from observers tracking whether regional jurisdictions will re-enter the competition.

Policy Context and National Framework

The push for a review coincides with continued work on Japan’s casino regulatory framework. Earlier this month, the cabinet approved a draft budget for fiscal 2026 that proposes a 5.4 percent funding increase for the Japan Casino Regulatory Commission, reflecting the regulator’s growing workload as MGM Osaka progresses through licensing and compliance milestones.

In parallel, the expert panel process underscores Hokkaido’s emphasis on distinguishing its prospective proposal from metropolitan developments. The prefecture has stated that any IR concept for the island would likely differ in format and function from projects centered on dense urban markets.

The reassessment proposed by Governor Suzuki ultimately seeks to clarify why the inaugural round produced limited participation and only one final approval. The outcome of both the national government’s review and Hokkaido’s internal panel deliberations will set the stage for the 2027 application cycle, during which regional authorities will need to demonstrate commercial viability, regulatory readiness, and community alignment.