Bally’s Signals Interest In Future Japan Casino Opportunities

Bally’s Corp continues to monitor Japan as a possible destination for future integrated resort investment, according to comments from chairman Soo Kim reported by Nikkei. Leadership views the country as a compelling long term opportunity should additional casino licences become available.

Japan has moved slowly with casino development, yet global operators still track policy direction closely due to the size of the economy and tourism potential.

Good to Know

• Bally’s previously explored an IR proposal in Fukuoka in 2022
• Company leadership says Japan remains an attractive market
• Additional resort opportunities beyond current projects remain uncertain

Bally’s Keeps Strategic Focus On Japan Market

Kim emphasized the scale of the opportunity when discussing future expansion.
“Japan has a large population and is an extremely attractive market,” he said.

Nikkei reported that Bally’s leadership is keeping a close watch on developments tied to possible expansion of the integrated resort framework. Any future bidding round could reopen the door for international operators that missed out during the first wave.

Interest from global casino groups has persisted even as Japan adopted a cautious approach to approvals, with regulators prioritizing strict oversight and limited licences.

Earlier Fukuoka Interest Showed Initial Expansion Plans

In March 2022, just before the deadline for municipalities to submit proposals to the national government, Bally’s expressed interest in pursuing an integrated resort project in Fukuoka, located on the northern coast of Kyushu.

The concept did not advance. By December of that year, a senior local official suggested prospects for an IR in Fukuoka were unlikely, effectively closing that path at the time.

Japan ultimately approved only a small number of developments during the initial application phase, reinforcing the idea that future expansion would depend on new political momentum or additional licensing rounds.

Kim, whose full name is Soohyung Kim, has also served as chairman of The Star Entertainment Group Ltd since December of last year. The dual leadership role places him at the center of two operators with regional exposure across Asia Pacific gaming markets.

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