MGM Osaka project to create 12,000 jobs as Japan’s largest casino resort takes shape

The MGM Osaka integrated resort is moving into a decisive development phase, with MGM Resorts International confirming the project will generate around 12,000 jobs and become one of Japan’s most significant tourism and gaming investments.

MGM CEO William Hornbuckle confirmed during a U.S. regulatory briefing that the US $12 billion resort under construction on Yumeshima Island is designed to operate as one of the world’s largest integrated casino destinations. Developed in partnership with ORIX Corporation, the complex will feature luxury hotels, entertainment venues, retail zones, dining, a large convention center and a high-end casino floor.

The project is expected to attract up to 20 million visitors annually once fully operational. Analysts say this positions Osaka as a future competitor to established Asian gaming hubs like Macau and Singapore.

From an economic standpoint, the Osaka IR is projected to deliver:
• Around 12,000 jobs across operations, hospitality, management and support roles
• An estimated JPY 1 trillion (≈ US $6.4 billion) economic impact over its first decade
• A planned opening window in Q3 2030, allowing time for workforce training and regulatory alignment under Japan’s integrated-resort framework

The casino is the first large-scale IR approved under Japan’s restrictive licensing model, meaning MGM Osaka may be the country’s only casino resort of this magnitude. The development is expected to reshape Japan’s tourism strategy and fuel increased investment in supporting infrastructure, payments systems and hospitality services.