TOKYO, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Japan's first casino resort is

likely to open in the western city of Osaka in late 2030 as a

main operator is planning to waive its right to withdraw from

the project without penalty, local media reported on Saturday.

The operator, Osaka IR KK, will begin preparatory work at

the end of September for the integrated resort (IR), Nikkei

business daily reported, without saying where it got the

information.

U.S. casino operator MGM Resorts International ( MGM ) and

local partner Orix Corp ( IX ) are major investors in the

project, each owning a 40% stake.

The giant resort complex located on Yumeshima, a reclaimed

island in Osaka Bay due to hold the World Expo in 2025, will

also include hotels, a conference centre, shopping mall, museum

and ferry terminal, while high-rollers will have access to an

adjacent helicopter pad.