Construction is officially underway for Japan’s first integrated resort with a casino, as MGM Osaka hosted its groundbreaking ceremony last week. The event, organised by Osaka IR KK, the project’s promoter, welcomed notable figures including Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura and executives from MGM Resorts International and Japan’s Orix Corporation.
Located on Yumeshima, a man-made island in Osaka Bay, MGM Osaka represents a major step for Japan’s entry into the legalised casino gaming market. Set to open in autumn 2030, the ¥1.27 trillion ($8.8 billion) project is expected to generate around $5.9 billion annually in gross gaming revenue.
MGM Osaka’s Features and Economic Impact
MGM Osaka will offer a wide range of amenities beyond its casino. The site will include three hotels with approximately 2,500 rooms, a 3,500-seat theater, 330,000 square feet of exhibition space, and 400,000 square feet dedicated to conference facilities. Guests will also have access to a variety of dining and retail outlets. 
The project aims to become a tourism hub for Japan and a growth engine for the Kansai region. As stated in a press release: “In collaboration with Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City, this project… is expected to contribute to the development of Japan’s tourism industry and the growth of the Kansai region.”
In parallel with the upcoming Expo 2025, also hosted on Yumeshima Island, MGM Osaka’s construction will adjust operations to minimise disruptions. Heavy machinery work will be delayed during the busiest days of the Expo, which ends in October 2025.
To understand more about the origins of the project and see both the location and a simulation of the final resort design, you can watch the news report from two years ago here:
Infrastructure and Financing Behind MGM Osaka
Infrastructure improvements are already underway to support the resort and Expo visitors. A new Osaka Metro station opened in January and the Kintetsu Nara Line is also being extended to improve future access to the site.
Financial backing for the project is robust, secured through a ¥530 billion ($3.68 billion) debt financing package led by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., alongside investments from regional businesses in Osaka.
With construction officially in progress, MGM Osaka is poised to redefine tourism and entertainment in Japan’s Kansai region, setting a benchmark for future developments across Asia.
