Amid an accelerating move towards casino legalization in Thailand, the country could see its first Entertainment Complexes (EC) by 2029, according to research by Maybank Investment Bank.

The governor of Osaka Prefecture stated on Wednesday that they are considering implementing a fixed fee for foreign visitors, potentially aligning it with the commencement of the World Expo in western Japan in April 2025.

Tokyo based real estate investment fund Mori Trust has acquired the Fairfield by Marriott Osaka Namba hotel from investment firm PAG in a strategic move ahead of a projected tourism boom.

The Japanese Minister in charge of economic security, Sanae Takaichi, has called for the postponement of the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. 

International investment companies have set their sights on new hotel investment plans, aiming to capitalize off Osaka's casino plans.

According to the Japan Times, preparatory works for developing the Yumeshima artificial island in Osaka Bay started less than 500 days before the expo is due to open in spring, 2025.

MGM Resorts says that it has finally reached an implementation agreement for its massive IR project in Osaka, Japan.

And those who have been waiting to see an Integrated Resort in Japan are having their patience tested yet again, as MGM's Osaka IR project is now only expected to open in the autumn of 2030, at an additional cost of $1.3 billion. Meanwhile, down under, Australia's regulators are only likely to let up on their industry crackdown within three to five years, and Crown and The Star are seeking to position themselves for the win. And in South Korea, Jeju Dream Tower's casino revenue fell in August despite an increase in visitation.

The Osaka prefectural and municipal governments announced on Tuesday that the opening of MGM's casino resort on Yumeshima artificial island in Osaka Bay has been postponed to the autumn of 2030. This delay is attributed to the protracted process of gaining central government approval and an unexpected surge in construction material costs.

Although construction on the Osaka integrated resorts (IR) is likely to begin next year, with the launch planned for 2029, Japan's second-largest city is already reaping the benefits of attracting foreign investors to its real estate market.