A $10 billion investment, over 6,400 slot machines, and 2,500 rooms: this is what the first casino in Japan to join the global elite of gambling destinations will look like.
Japan is undergoing large-scale development. New details are emerging about the size and configuration of MGM Osaka, Japan’s first fully licensed casino, currently under construction on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay.
The opening of this landmark is scheduled for autumn 2030, following the completion of a gigantic project estimated at around $10 billion.
The resort is being developed by a consortium led by MGM Resorts International and the Japanese financial group Orix, each holding approximately a 40% stake, supported by twenty-two minority shareholders.
At the heart of the complex will be a 27-story tower, 126 meters tall, with a curved design reminiscent of the famous Bellagio in Las Vegas.
It will house two hotels—offering a total of approximately 1,840 rooms—a main casino, and a grand theater. MGM Osaka promises figures worthy of a world-class leader:
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250,000 square meters of gaming space;
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approximately 470 gaming tables;
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approximately 6,400 slot machines.
This level of equipment will place the Osaka casino among those with the largest number of slot machines in the world, just behind the major U.S. casinos.
To truly understand the scale of the project, it must be compared with some of the most impressive structures in the industry: WinStar World Casino in Oklahoma, which holds the record with over 10,000 slot machines, while Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun, both in Connecticut, host approximately 5,600 and 5,000 machines respectively.
The Venetian Macao, another iconic casino and one of the largest resorts ever built, hosts “only” 3,000 slot machines but boasts over 7,000 rooms.
In this context, MGM Osaka stands out with its 6,400 slot machines, approximately 2,500 rooms, and a total area of nearly 50 hectares.
These figures place the Japanese city among the world’s top gambling destinations, especially considering Japan’s particularly strict regulatory framework.
Beyond the main tower, the resort will be a multifunctional complex. A massive four-story convention and exhibition center is planned, 27 meters tall and covering 16.7 hectares, designed to strengthen Osaka’s role as a major hub for business tourism.
In addition, a third hotel, with 13 floors and 660 rooms, will be built next to the convention center. It will also be designed as a space for cultural activities, fostering dialogue between Japanese tradition and contemporary hospitality.
In total, MGM Osaka will offer approximately 67,800 square meters dedicated to tourism, events, and conventions, confirming its status as an integrated destination that goes far beyond the concept of a simple casino.
Construction officially began with the groundbreaking ceremony in April 2024, following the start of building works at the end of 2023. Steve Zanella, an MGM executive with extensive experience in Las Vegas, has been appointed to lead local operations.
The choice of Osaka as the first host city does not rule out future developments: a new application window for integrated resorts will open between May 6 and November 5, 2027.
Under Japan’s Integrated Resort Act, up to three casinos may be authorized nationwide, with regions such as Hokkaido and Nagasaki already preparing to submit their proposals.
With MGM Osaka, Japan officially enters the global casino resort arena—and it does so with a project destined to leave its mark.
