As North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stepped over the border of the demilitarized zone in Panmunjom for a historic summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on April 27, a group of local politicians and international business leaders meeting in Osaka hailed another milestone moment reached that same day: Cabinet approval of a bill outlining how integrated resorts with casinos are to be operated.
The mood at the first ever Kansai integrated resort showcase was one of relief and hope as hundreds of attendees, including international casino operators, the Osaka governor and mayor, and senior business leaders in industries ranging from construction and advertising to consumer electronics, discussed when the first casino, or casinos, might come to the Kansai region and who might operate them.
"If all goes well, a casino in Osaka could open by 2023 or 2024 at the latest," Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui told reporters just before the opening ceremony.