The proven track record of major US operators such as Las Vegas Sands and MGM Resorts will see them positioned “very favorably” to win a Japan casino license, according to American Gaming Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman.
Speaking to Inside Asian Gaming at G2E Asia on Tuesday, Mr Freeman rejected suggestions that Japan might look closer to home once regulation passes through the Diet later this year, pointing to the regional success of Sands China and MGM China as hugely attractive to Japanese officials.
“I think our operators in most instances, particularly when looking at Japan, have a proven track record of building world class facilities in highly competitive markets that are regulated to the extreme,” Freeman said when asked what US operators must do to win favour. “And those experiences I believe position them very favorably in the Japanese market. It all but guarantees that if some of them are chosen, they will build extraordinary investment products for Japan to enjoy for years to come.”
Mr Freeman pointed to Sands China as perhaps the greatest example of a US company demonstrating its ability to provide world class facilities developed specifically for the local market.
“Marina Bay Sands (in Singapore) and the Venetian Macao couldn’t be more different from one another,” he said. “And that’s just one example of these companies with a proven track record building something that is specific to the clientele, specific to the culture and specific to the goals of the government. I think that’s exactly what they will do with Japan.
“A lot of people can build a successful integrated resort in a monopoly market but these guys – Sands and MGM and also Wynn Resorts who have expressed an interest – are operating in a highly competitive market and finding ways to excel. I think that’s what Japan should be and hopefully will be most interested in.”
Sands Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson has previously indicated that investment in a Japan IR could reach US$10 billion. Freeman said he expected US operators to go all out should the opportunity arise.
“Japan by some is referred to as the last great gaming market and given that, the commitment to doing something special is greater than it will ever be,” he said.
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