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Yokohama unlikely to enter the 2027 Japan casino bidding race

Seven mayoral candidates in Yokohama have rejected the idea of hosting a casino, making a future bid for an integrated resort highly improbable.

Written by the BettingEdgeHub desk, 6 October 2026

Yokohama is currently not expected to participate in the upcoming window for Japan casino licenses. The city is the second most populous in the country and was previously seen as a prime location for international operators. Major companies like Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts had been watching the city closely.

Candidates reject casino plans

Seven people are running for mayor and all of them have voiced opposition to a casino development. Former mayor Takeharu Yamanaka, who previously pulled the city out of the bidding process, is among the candidates. Other hopefuls have also made it clear that they do not support the idea of an integrated resort.

Campaign promises focus on opposition

Candidate Kazuma Nakatani has made opposition to casinos a central part of his platform. Other candidates like Sachiko Fujikawa and Riken Yamamoto have also publicly dismissed the potential for a casino project. These stances make it difficult for any gaming firm to gain the necessary local support.

Future of the license process

Japan initially planned for three separate resort destinations across the country. Only one license has been awarded so far for a project in Osaka involving MGM Resorts. With Yokohama likely staying out of the process, only a few operators remain interested in the remaining slots.

Bidding window timeline

The official window for applications is scheduled to open in May 2027 and will close in November of that year. Current interest from companies like Ballys Corporation and Galaxy Entertainment Group remains low. The lack of support from major cities creates uncertainty for the entire expansion plan.