The three Japan casino resorts expected to be authorised in the coming months by the federal government will come with lofty price tags, as the world’s largest gaming operators up their antes to win one of the coveted licenses.

Osaka and Yokohama are the two leading cities for two of the integrated resorts.

Yokohama city officials report that their request for information phase revealed several casino operators are ready to invest nearly $12 billion (JPY1.3 trillion) in a resort complex.

Yokohama, the second largest city in Japan, says 12 companies submitted draft proposals. A few of the gaming operators that presented schemes include MGM Resorts, Wynn Resorts, Melco Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, Genting Group, and Galaxy Entertainment.

Yokohama is a preferred destination, as the large city is near the Tokyo capital. But Osaka is the frontrunner for MGM and Las Vegas Sands – the two casino operators considered the favourites for licensure by gaming industry analysts.

Sands was not one of the 12 companies that submitted plans for Yokohama. Last week, the casino operator’s director of global development said the company isn’t interested in investing in an area not located near a major metropolis.