Gov. Naomichi Suzuki formally announced Friday that Hokkaido would pass on bidding for an integrated casino resort — at least for now.
"I judged it impossible to give appropriate consideration toward the natural environment in a limited amount of time. When the time is right, we'll make preparations to bid," Suzuki told the prefectural assembly Friday morning.
The central government is expected to officially receive resort bids from interested localities between January 2021 and July 2021, but that requires local political and business support and a detailed proposal. In addition to casinos, integrated resorts will require food, lodging, and shopping and entertainment facilities, as well as convention centers and trade exhibition halls.