When the Diet passed a law governing the operation of integrated casino resorts last month, public celebrations were few. Media polls showed strong public opposition to casinos, with respondents citing worries about problem gamblers and more crime.

But the champagne corks were popping in Osaka, where the smart money is on the city being one of only three locations where Japan's first casino resorts will be built. With the legislative process over, international operators hoping to win an Osaka casino are stepping up local public relations efforts.

Though several casino firms have expressed interest in Osaka, America's MGM Resorts and Hong Kong-based Melco Resorts and Entertainment are the front-runners to win the rights to an integrated resort. Executives from both firms have upped their local presence recently, attending festivals like the Tenjin Matsuri last month, donating money to victims of the fatal earthquake in June and hiring Japanese staff connected to politically powerful corporations in the Osaka region.