SEGA Sammy is looking to build a casino resort in Yokohama, Japan

The SEGA people knew and loved in the 80s and 90s had a bit of a makeover after 2001. Following the demise of the Dreamcast (and honestly earlier than that), SEGA was in the red financially. Sammy Corporation was in a slightly different but similar situation. Their fear was the over reliance on pachinko slot machines. Sammy was looking to diversify their business portfolio and the two merged in 2004.

Approximately 16 years have passed, and that company is in a much better position than they once were. Although the arcade business took a significant hit thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, SEGA Sammy is keeping their eyes on the future. Back in January, they announced a bid to build a casino in Yokohama, Japan. The Japanese government was awarding three permits to businesses who meet their criteria, and SEGA Sammy is feelin’ lucky.

Their competitors include Melco and Wynn Resorts, which own multiple resorts and casinos across the globe. You might have seen the Wynn resort as you stumbled around the Las Vegas strip with your strawberry daiquiri. Their enthusiasm for the bid seemed to have waned, however. SEGA Sammy officially submitted a proposal last Friday, and announced a partnership with Genting Singapore for the bid. Genting Singapore is also a resort specialist, and this partnership might have them focus on the hotel side of things while SEGA Sammy adds their expertise on the casino side of things.

GGR Asia had additional information regarding this proposal:

Local authorities interested in hosting a casino resort must first select a commercial partner, and then apply to the national government for the right to host such a facility. The Yokohama authorities are expected to choose a suitor this summer, according to a previously-announced timetable. 

GGR Asia

SEGA Sammy expects to spend “approximately” JPY120.0 billion (US$1.09 billion) towards the project. That’s a whole lotta rings, folks. They hope the company will have an advantage in the bid because they are a homegrown business.

What do you think the SEGA Sammy-owned casino resort would look like? Do you even like gambling? Share your thoughts with us, friends.