オペレーターニュース

Japan – Mohegan Gaming evaluating Japanese options after Hokkaido exit

Having recently opened an office in in the city of Tomakomai in the Hokkaido prefecture, Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment has been hit more than most following Governor Naomichi Suzuki decision to pull Hokkaido from the race for a Japanese IR.

In a statement, Mohegan CEO Mario Kontomerkos said: “We are evaluating our options regarding Hokkaido. Although the outcome is not what we had hoped for, we understand the position of Governor Suzuki and respect his judgment regarding IR development in Hokkaido. We are especially grateful for the warm hospitality shown to us by the people of Hokkaido, our partners and our friends. We will continue to elevate the global integrated resort concept in Northern Asia via our Inspire development in South Korea, and we remain committed to the broader region.”

日本の本島の最北端にある北海道は、鈴木直道知事が環境への懸念を理由に統合型リゾート（IR）への誘致を断念し、環境評価には最大3年かかる見込みだという。

鈴木知事は「慎重に検討した結果、IR誘致に挑戦したいという結論に達したが、候補地は希少動植物の生息地となる可能性が高く、環境への適切な配慮が必要となる」と述べた。限られたスケジュールでは不可能だろう。」

As well as Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, Rush Street Japan and Hard Rock International had also set up offices in Hokkaido.

Japanese tourism company Kamori Kanko, once the biggest operator of ski resorts in the US, had also confirmed it wants to bring a casino to its ambitious vision for a regional integrated resort in Hokkaido’s Rusutsu Village, located in the Shiribeshi sub-prefecture in Hokkaido.