It is Sheldon Adelson’s favorite phrase: the casino magnate has pledged it takes’ to gain a foothold in Japan, should the country legalize land-based casinos, as is expected to be approved in time to have casinos in place for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games that he will spend ‘whatever. Coincidently, Adelson also recently declared, vehemently, it takes’ to prevent online gambling from gaining a foothold in the U.S., although in the case of Japan, the ‘whatever’ has a number, and that number is $10 billion that he would spend ‘whatever.

Money or Check?

It’s really a dramatic statement of intent from the CEO of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, which currently operates the Venetian in Macau while the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, as the company licks its solid chops at the proposed regulation of land gambling within the world’s third most prosperous economy. Adelson even told a press seminar in Tokyo that he would pay that sum in ‘cash’ if required. We suppose it assists being the ninth-richest person in the planet when you make statements like that.

It will certainly make Japan’s lawmakers sit up and simply take notice. The country’s ruling Liberal Democrat Party presented a bill to parliament in early December that aims to open a gaming market up that could potentially function as second-largest within the world. It’s estimated that Japan’s casino market could eventually generate $40 billion in revenue annually.

‘I think the bill will surely pass,’ says Assistant Professor at Nihon University College of Economics Kazuaki Sasaki. ‘LDP is supporting the bill and also for people parties that are against the bill, I actually don’t think they will put limitations on each member’s vote.’

Competitive Bidding

However, specialists are expecting a very competitive bidding procedure when the bill passes, and say it might well be five years before the very first casino is installed and operating. It’s no surprise, then, that the casino leaders are beginning to flex their muscles, vying to achieve the hand that is upper. Vegas Sands’ $10 billion spending declaration is twice that of what Macau’s Melco Crown has pledged to ante up. And with typical bravado, Adelson also informed assembled media that his business had already established offices in Japan, and is ready to start employees that are hiring.

Should Las Vegas Sands be given a gaming that is coveted, it will just think about building a casino in a large metropolis, such as Tokyo or Osaka, Adelson revealed. This, according to regional gaming specialist D.S. Kim, is certainly much in keeping with the company’s M.O. a preference for building large-scale casino resorts, complete with convention centers and shopping malls, in major tourist hubs with large, affluent populations and good transport infrastructures currently in spot.

To phrase it differently: maybe not Sochi.

Twenty-four hours after Adelson’s press conference, MGM Resorts shot back with their bold statement of intent, with CEO Jim Murren declaring a budget of $5 to $10 billion as well.

‘ We are going to over-invest in early stages to make certain, as we have done everywhere else, so that we have properties that are built to last and that would stand extra competition,’ he promised.

Wynn Resorts Ltd. President Matt Maddox’s reaction was more conservative, but perhaps contained a nod that is snarky their competitors’ machismo: ‘The opportunity is very good, but you have to be careful in throwing away billions and vast amounts of dollars without really understanding what the goals are of the town.’

Appears like these competitors are starting their games that are own soon as possible.