The list of regions battling for a coveted spot for the development of casino resorts ranges from Osaka to Hokkaido. And you can add Mickey Mouse's neighborhood to the list of possibilities.
Chiba Prefecture, home to Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, is gaining attention, with proponents citing the area's convention centers and Japan's largest airport as selling points. While the area's supporters, mostly a group of small local businesses, say strong resident support gives it an edge over high-profile destinations such as Yokohama, the local government has yet to come on board.
Chiba would join many other communities across Japan jockeying for position alongside operators such as MGM Resorts International and Las Vegas Sands Corp. as the nation inches toward legalizing casino gambling. The Diet is currently discussing a casino implementation bill, which will allow for three cities to host integrated resorts. Analysts estimate the industry could be worth as much as $25 billion.