MGM has waived its option to terminate the contract for the construction of a resort-casino in Osaka

MGM Resorts has opted not to exercise its right to terminate the agreement for the development of a casino resort project in Osaka, Japan. This information was reported by leading media outlets in the country, although an official announcement is expected on September 10.
The MGM Osaka project, valued at 1.27 trillion yen (approximately $8.03 billion), is being developed by MGM Resorts Japan LLC, a subsidiary of American MGM Resorts International, in partnership with Japan's Orix Corp and several other investors. The resort, slated to open in 2030, will be located on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay.
The agreement signed with city authorities included a provision allowing the developer to withdraw from the deal if certain conditions were not met. These conditions pertained to issues such as tax regulations, investment requirements, land improvements, and anticipated tourist numbers. According to the contract, if MGM had chosen to terminate the agreement due to unmet conditions, it would not have been required to pay any compensation.
Recent reports indicate that the developer has decided to forgo this option, as all key business conditions have now been established. Consequently, Osaka authorities will transfer the land to MGM and its partners, allowing construction to proceed according to the announced timeline. "Now that the decision has been made, it is almost certain that the Osaka IR will be able to open in the fall of 2030," a representative for the developer stated.
Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and President of MGM Resorts, commented on the Osaka project during the company's second-quarter earnings conference in July. "I just returned from Japan, and things are going well... We hope to start driving piles by May or June of next year, and the target opening date remains mid-2030," Hornbuckle said.
It is worth noting that Japan has approved the plan for the MGM Osaka casino resort project.