Japan: Hokkaido Cities explore renewed push for casino resort development

Meanwhile, Japan’s first IR — which will feature a casino alongside hotels, shopping areas and convention facilities — is currently under construction in Osaka Prefecture and is expected to open in 2030.

When a new law allowing the development of IRs was passed in 2018, the Hokkaido government actively pursued a bid to host a resort. The Uenae district in the city of Tomakomai emerged as a leading candidate with strong interest in securing one of up to three IR licenses the central government planned to approve nationwide. The proposed site was located just south of New Chitose Airport.　

Environmental concerns were raised over the development, however, after nests of the rare northern goshawk and the endangered black woodpecker were found in the surrounding forested area. In November 2019, Suzuki said there was insufficient time to properly assess the environmental impact, as the period for application to the central government was from January to July 2021. As a result, neither Tomakomai nor any other locality formally submitted a bid.

However, the governor appears to have softened his stance, as not only has Tomakomai again expressed interest in hosting a casino resort, the city of Kushiro is also eager to do so. In 2023, Suzuki highlighted that efforts to revitalize the local economy through meetings, incentive travel, conventions and exhibition/events include the promotion of casino resorts, a position he reaffirmed in August.

“Circumstances are changing,” the governor said at a news conference on Aug. 22. “The national government initially planned to approve three sites (for casino resorts), but now it has effectively narrowed it down to just one — in Osaka. As for the two other potential sites, how they will be handled remains unclear.”

He added, “We view IR as a potential project that could contribute to Hokkaido's development by attracting private investment and boosting tourism-related spending.”

The governor acknowledged that challenges remain in gaining public acceptance, citing concerns over potential social issues such as gambling addiction, as well as possible environmental impacts. When asked about Tomakomai as a potential IR location, Suzuki said it would be considered as one of the possible sites, noting Mayor Suguru Kanazawa’s strong enthusiasm for the project.

Last month, the Hokkaido government sent a questionnaire to all municipalities under its jurisdiction to gauge their interest in pursuing a casino resort bid.

On Aug. 27, Tomakomai’s mayor, and its deputy mayor, Masato Machida, told reporters that the city had responded with strong interest and that it still envisions the Uenae district as the preferred site for the project.

However, Tomakomai could face competition from Kushiro, which has also expressed interest in developing a casino resort in its Lake Akan district.

During a municipal assembly session in December 2024, Kushiro Mayor Hidenori Tsuruma stated that having a casino resort is vital for establishing Lake Akan as a major tourist destination. Although no formal bid decision has been made, the city reportedly responded affirmatively to a recent inquiry about its interest.

Like Tomakomai, Kushiro faces concerns about environmental damage, especially given Lake Akan’s natural surroundings. Additionally, the area is home to a significant Indigenous Ainu population.

When asked about the compatibility of Ainu culture with casino development, Tsuruma — who was born and raised near Lake Akan — pointed to international examples where Indigenous communities have been involved in casino operations. He suggested that any Lake Akan casino project might need to consider such involvement carefully.

Another Hokkaido city that may consider bidding for a casino resort is Hakodate. On Aug. 28, Mayor Jun Oizumi stated that officials are currently in the information-gathering phase and that there are no concrete plans yet to develop a resort complex within the city’s relatively small jurisdiction.

Any casino bid from Hokkaido would ultimately require approval from the central government. But first, approval from municipal residents to develop a comprehensive plan for introducing a casino is needed.

If local residents say yes, the governor’s agreement on the municipal proposal, or proposals, would then be needed — a process that could be politically complicated if more than one Hokkaido city wants to bid for a resort.

If a Hokkaido bid gets the green light from the governor, the central government would then have the final word on whether to allow it to go forward.

It’s a process that is expected to take years, with no guarantee the next casino will be in Hokkaido. But with the August survey, it appears Hokkaido is once again getting ready to place its bets on a future with a casino.