Content Writer: Janice Chew • Tuesday, 25/08/2025 - 23:16:59 - PM
Osaka, the future home of Japan’s first integrated resort (IR) with a casino, is set to host a pivotal forum this Wednesday (August 27). The event, titled the “South Korea Casino Industry Forum in Osaka,” will bring together leaders from South Korea’s casino sector to assess the potential impact of the upcoming MGM Osaka, slated to open in 2030. Organized by the Korea Casino Association (KCA) and the Tourism Sciences Society of Korea, the forum aims to facilitate dialogue on how South Korea’s casino and tourism businesses can respond to Japan’s landmark IR development.
The discussions carry weight, as some South Korean media outlets have projected that MGM Osaka could attract as many as 7.6 million South Korean visitors annually. While South Korea is home to 17 licensed casinos, only Kangwon Land Inc. holds the privilege of allowing local players to gamble. Kangwon Land’s delegation, including its acting director of the casino division, will be among those attending, alongside representatives from foreigner-only casinos and senior officials from the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau.
The event will feature contributions from Japanese and Korean academics, as well as business and tourism leaders. Scheduled topics include the current status and outlook for Osaka’s IR, its potential role in Japan’s wider tourism economy, and strategies to strengthen South Korea’s own competitiveness. The Kansai Association of Corporate Executives and scholars from several Japanese universities will also share perspectives, reinforcing the cross-border nature of the debate.
In a statement ahead of the forum, Kangwon Land Inc. confirmed it would highlight its ambition of evolving into an IR with global appeal. Its representatives also plan to tour the MGM Osaka construction site the following day, underscoring the significance of the project for Korea’s casino operators. With MGM Osaka representing a JPY 1.27-trillion (US$8.59 billion) investment by MGM Resorts International, Orix Corp, and other Japanese partners, the stakes for regional tourism and gaming industries could not be higher.
