Hokkaido Moves to Gauge IR Interest with Fresh Questionnaire to Municipalities and Industry
Hokkaido is set to send out a new questionnaire this quarter on the topic of an integrated resort with a casino, reaching all 179 municipalities in the prefecture, as well as selected casino operators and financial institutions. The survey is expected to be distributed between July and August, according to information reviewed by GGRAsia’s Japan correspondent.
Survey Focuses on Major Stakeholders
The questions on the survey have not been released at all yet. Nevertheless, the targets of the survey seem to imply that Hokkaido Prefecture is gauging public support for the idea of having an IR built in the prefecture.
The move comes after the prefectural government released a preliminary draft in June outlining its policy framework on the IR topic. That draft set out the purpose and direction of a possible casino resort, but it stopped short of committing to a formal bid.
The new questionnaire appears to be part of that broader process of assessing sentiment and preparing for further discussion. It follows earlier work by the prefectural government as it weighs whether to move ahead at a later stage.
Panel Discussion Continues
On July 16, Hokkaido held the fifth meeting of its IR expert panel. Information reviewed by GGRAsia’s correspondent showed the session focused on consolidating ideas and opinions on the preliminary draft of “The basic stance on IR of Hokkaido prefecture” and “The Hokkaido-Style IR Concept”.
A key issue raised during the meeting was gambling addiction countermeasures. Noriko Tanaka, representative director of The Society Concerned about Gambling Addiction, gave a presentation comparing Japan’s proposed framework and responsible gambling measures with those already in place in Singapore.
This was mentioned in the presentation she gave as she talked about Singapore’s casino duopoly, which has been operating since 2010. In her presentation, it was highlighted that the Ministry of Social and Family Development runs the National Council on Problem Gambling.
It becomes apparent that Hokkaido’s own internal review process is ongoing despite the consultations the prefecture is conducting. It also shows that responsible gambling remains part of the policy debate as the prefecture considers the shape of any potential resort plan.
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Earlier Survey Results
Hokkaido had already surveyed its 179 municipalities in the third quarter of last year to assess support for hosting an IR. That earlier process produced a split response across the prefecture.
Tomakomai and Hakodate each said they were interested in having an IR in their own area. A further 79 municipalities said they supported the idea of Hokkaido hosting an IR in principle, while the remaining 98 said they were not interested.
By September last year, however, Hakodate’s mayor said the city was in no position to pursue an IR bid. That left Tomakomai as the only municipality still expressing interest.
Tomakomai, a port city on Hokkaido’s south-central coast, had shown enthusiasm in the run-up to the first round of applications. Even so, the prefectural government decided in November 2019 not to take part.
Next Policy Milestones
Hokkaido plans to submit draft versions of “The basic stance on IR of Hokkaido prefecture” and “The Hokkaido-Style IR Concept” to the prefectural assembly in September. Both documents are scheduled to be finalised in October.
The timing places Hokkaido’s preparations ahead of the next national IR application window, which is set to run from May 6, 2027, to November 5, 2027. That window is open to prefectures and so-called ordinance-level cities.
Japan has only 1 approved IR so far, the JPY1.51-trillion MGM Osaka, which is due to open in 2030. Hokkaido’s current consultation process does not amount to a commitment to bid, but it does show that the prefecture is continuing to examine the issue in a structured way.
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Source: GGR Asia
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