In Japan and officials in Chiba have reportedly revealed that eight concerns have submitted applications to take part in the official request for information (RFI) part of the city’s campaign to select the operating partner for its proposed integrated casino resort.

According to a report from GGRAsia, firms had until yesterday to formally express their interest in bringing an integrated casino resort to the city of 979,000 people with the local government now set to compile all of the gathered information in advance of conducting a series of hearings in November.

Indigenous interest:

Even though none of the eight firm’s identities have been officially divulged, GGRAsia reported that two are known to be locally-based consortiums while it also detailed that a final announcement on the results of the RFI process could be forthcoming as soon as March.

Treble try:

Although most gambling is currently illegal in Japan, the coalition government of Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, passed legislation in July of last year that is set to see the nation of some 126 million people offer up a trio of casino licenses. In order to be selected as a host for one of these coming facilities, which are locally known as integrated casino resorts, communities are being required to partner with an experienced operator before submitting their final plans to the central government in Tokyo.

Likeable locale:

Chiba is reportedly hoping that its close proximity to central Tokyo and numerous international airports will help it to beat off competition from up to nine rivals encompassing cities such as Yokohama, Sasebo and Osaka to be selected as the home for one of the coming gambling-friendly facilities. The community purportedly earlier revealed that it could decide to use the Makuhari district for its envisioned integrated casino resort as this area of reclaimed land already features the 79,000 sq ft Makuhari Messe exhibition center as well as the 30,000-seat Zozo Marine Stadium.