MGM Resorts International's ambitious plan to open Japan's first regulated casino resort in Osaka by 2030 may face another setback. According to reports from Japanese media, the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which oversees Expo 2025, has requested a six-month pause in construction on MGM’s integrated resort (IR) during the event.   

The Expo is set to take place on Yumeshima Island in Osaka Bay from April to October 2025, and officials fear that ongoing construction could disrupt the aesthetics and operations of the World Fair.  

This potential pause in construction adds to a series of delays and challenges that have plagued the Osaka IR project. Originally, MGM hoped to complete the resort in time for Expo 2025, positioning it to capitalise on the influx of tourists expected during the event. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent bureaucratic hurdles have pushed the opening date to 2030. A six-month halt in construction could delay the project even further, possibly extending the timeline into 2031.  

Such delays could significantly impact the project's financial outlook. The resort, which already carries a hefty price tag of $9.1 billion, (€8.3 billion) may see further cost increases due to the prolonged construction timeline. MGM’s CEO, Bill Hornbuckle, recently expressed optimism about the project during a Q2 earnings call, stating that construction was "moving along nicely." However, his comments were made before the BIE requested a construction pause, which could alter the projected timeline and financial expectations.  

The delay in Osaka could also have broader regional implications. Thailand, which is actively advancing its own gaming regulations, aims to establish a competing integrated resort before MGM’s Osaka project is completed. If MGM's opening is pushed back due to the construction pause, Thailand could launch its casino operations first, gaining early momentum in the regional market.  

The Osaka IR project, which represents Japan’s first foray into legalised casino gaming, has been seen as a significant opportunity for MGM Resorts International. Despite the challenges, the company remains committed to the project. However, as construction timelines and costs continue to fluctuate, the road to opening day in Osaka remains uncertain.  

Local media also reported that Osaka’s governor, Hirofumi Yoshimura, and Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama are expected to meet with MGM officials soon to discuss the implications of the BIE's request. This meeting will be crucial in determining the future of the Osaka IR project and its timeline. The outcome of these discussions will likely influence whether MGM can maintain its target opening date of 2030 or if further delays will push the project into the following decade.??

In the USA, millions of dollars are being wagered on obscure table tennis matches in Eastern Europe. Last year in February, in a sparsely filled gymnasium in Poland, two relatively unknown players battled it out in a 14-minute match. Thousands of miles away, an American sports bettor placed an impressive $35,000 bet on the outcome, one of the biggest bets ever placed on the sport.

In 2023 alone, Colorado saw $107 million in wagers placed on table tennis. Data from the Oregon Lottery reveals that table tennis has quietly become one of the most popular sports for betting. In 2023, $57 million was bet on the sport, a dramatic increase from the $18.5 million wagered in 2022. This surge represents 890,000 individual bets. Although table tennis still comes behind basketball, football, and baseball, it now outpaces more traditional sports like tennis, soccer, hockey, and golf in terms of betting interest.

Bettors are even wagering more per game on table tennis than on other sports. The average table tennis bet stands at $66, compared to $24 on NFL games, $34 on Major League Baseball, and $41 on NBA games.

The matches, are often held in rundown gymnasiums with no live audience, announcers, or fans, and have scores kept manually. The players, while skilled, are far from elite.

“It isn’t the highest level. I would consider it club-level. These are serious players but not close to the national team,” said Sean O’Neill, a two-time Olympian. So, why the intense betting interest?

“This is like the crack cocaine of sports gambling,” explained Dr. Ken Pendleton from the University of Oregon. He pointed out that the sheer volume of matches, with new games starting constantly, coupled with their short duration, allows for rapid, repeated betting. The relentless pace and continuous action leave little room for downtime, keeping bettors constantly engaged. Most of them watch these matches on YouTube or directly through betting platforms.

The surge in popularity began during the COVID-19 pandemic when most mainstream sporting events were cancelled. The demand for these table tennis matches was so overwhelming that the number of games skyrocketed, and continues to grow.

“They’ve got players competing 24/7, around the clock,” said O’Neill. “Matches are happening at 3 a.m., 4 a.m., 5 a.m., all because they’re being broadcast for the betting community. Bettors are always looking for the next match.”

In 2020, authorities in Colorado and New Jersey temporarily banned betting on table tennis over concerns about potential match-fixing in Ukraine. However, most of these matches are organised by the TT Elite Series, based in Poland. This organisation has never been implicated in match-fixing scandals and has been diligent in maintaining the integrity of its matches.

Platforms like DraftKings, which stream these games to American bettors, also play a role in safeguarding against match-fixing by closely monitoring betting patterns.

Led by a distinguished board of directors, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has been very much in the headlines recently with the announcement of its lottery licence. Chairman Jim Murren (pictured above) brings extensive experience from the gaming and hospitality industries, including his previous role as Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International. Aside from being the Chairman of GCGRA, Murren also has current roles and responsibilities as the chief executive officer at The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. His leadership is crucial as GCGRA navigates this transformative period for the UAE’s gaming sector.

The Vice Chairman, Chris O’Donnell, brings extensive experience in real estate and investment from major UAE firms, enhancing the company’s regulatory and investment strategies. He previously served as CEO of Nakheel Properties and Emaar Developments, Head of Real Estate at Al Futtaim Group, and Director at CityCenter Holdings in Las Vegas. Chris currently holds the position of Managing Director at CNN Advisory.

Nicholas Casiello, Jr., is a retired attorney with over 40 years of experience in gaming law. His global perspective on gaming regulations and compliance has been instrumental in shaping the authority’s regulatory framework. In addition to serving as a board member of GCGRA, Casiello is also a part-time advisory council member at Seton Hall University School of Law and a member of the Compliance Committee at Interblock Gaming.

William W. Grounds has provided valuable insights into strategic development and oversight through his experience in managing high-profile real estate investments and serving on gaming company boards. He has served on the boards of MGM Resorts International for eight years. He is currently on the boards of Consumer Portfolio Services and PointsBet Holdings. Grounds has also held senior positions at Lend Lease Corporation, where he managed the Sydney 2000 Olympics Games Project and the NSW and WA Regions.

John Kelly, a partner at the London-based law firm Harbottle & Lewis, specialises in reputation protection, data privacy, and defamation. With over 30 years of legal experience, he has represented high-profile clients globally, particularly in sports law. Kelly is recognised as an authority in his field by Chambers UK, Chambers HNW, The Legal 500, and The Spear’s 500.

Giovanni Lega, a prominent business lawyer with over 30 years of experience in international transactions, offers a global perspective on gaming investments and regulatory issues. He is the founding and managing partner at the Italian law firm LCA. He has previously served as the managing partner of the Italian offices of Freshfields. Additionally, he was the founding chairman of ASLA, the organisation representing leading Italian and international law firms in Italy.

Mark A. Lipparelli is a highly experienced figure in the gaming industry and currently serves as the CEO and Managing Member of Gioco Ventures. He holds leadership positions in gaming companies and advisory boards, including Galaxy Gaming, Inc. and Golden Entertainment. Mark’s extensive background includes serving as a Nevada State Senator, chairing the Nevada Gaming Control Board, and holding senior roles at Bally Technologies, Shuffle Master, and Casino Data Systems. He is also actively involved in gaming technology and regulation.

Issuing the lottery licence represents the beginning of a new chapter for the UAE’s gaming industry. As the GCGRA continues to lead in commercial gaming regulation, its dedication to transparency, innovation, and responsible practises will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of gaming in the UAE.

The GCGRA has made a tremendous advancement in the UAE’s gaming sector by issuing the country’s first-ever lottery licence to The Game LLC. This milestone is a crucial development in the UAE’s gaming industry and may pave the way for the potential legalisation of other forms of gambling, including casinos, in the future.

Established by Federal Law by Decree and based in Abu Dhabi, the GCGRA oversees the regulation, licensing, and supervision of all commercial gaming activities within the UAE. This role is essential in maintaining a fair, transparent, and well-regulated gaming sector.

The GCGRA’s responsibilities include creating and enforcing regulatory frameworks to govern commercial gaming. These frameworks ensure that gaming operations adhere to high safety, quality, and consumer protection standards. The authority manages a clear and transparent licensing process, issuing licences only to entities that meet strict criteria.

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A potential agreement between the PSC (Socialists’ Party of Catalonia) and the Comuns to appoint Salvador Illa as the President of Catalonia has sparked interest as it encloses a decision to halt the development of the Hard Rock macro-project. This proposed leisure complex in Salou, set to feature hotels, a casino, entertainment venues, and a shopping avenue near PortAventura, has been a contentious issue among Catalan political parties and even led to a budgetary dilemma within the Catalan government.

Catalonia, an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, known for its rich cultural heritage, distinct language (Catalan), and vibrant cities like Barcelona. It boasts a diverse landscape, from beautiful Mediterranean beaches to the scenic Pyrenees mountains.

The specifics of the pre-agreement with the PSC and the Comuns’ support for Illa’s presidency have come to light, with Esquerra Republicana signalling approval.

Outlined in a detailed five-point action plan, the agreement emphasises the creation of more public housing, regulating seasonal rentals, promoting educational policies, and enhancing public health services with increased funding and accessible social security psychologists.

One important aspect of the agreement is the opposition to large-scale projects. Although the expansion of Prat Airport is not mentioned, the document clearly states that neither the extension of the ‘Quart Cinturó’ nor the construction of the Hard Rock project in Catalonia will happen during this term in office.

The Hard Rock casino complex, proposed over a decade ago, has been a contentious issue in Catalonia. Initially envisioned as a massive leisure and gaming complex near PortAventura, the project has faced significant opposition. Critics argue it would harm the environment, increase gambling addiction, and promote a mass tourism model that doesn’t benefit the local area. The ongoing drought in Catalonia has further complicated public approval.

Supporters, however, see it as a significant economic opportunity that could boost Catalonia’s GDP. The project has been stalled for years, awaiting a new Urban Development Plan after the original was annulled by the Catalan High Court in 2020. Currently, the approval of the Hard Rock project is a key factor in passing the 2024 budget, with political parties divided on its future. The outcome remains uncertain as negotiations continue.

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