• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • iGaming
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Charges sought vs founder for Okada Manila occupation: UEC

Jun 01, 2022 Newsdesk Japan, Latest News, Philippines, Top of the deck  


Charges sought vs founder for Okada Manila occupation: UEC

Japan’s Universal Entertainment Corp (UEC), the ultimate parent of Philippine casino resort Okada Manila, said in a Wednesday press release the group would “immediately file criminal charges,” due to what it termed “serious criminal offences” allegedly committed on the resort’s premises on Tuesday. That included “trespassing, obstruction of business, unlawful occupation, theft, assault, injury and incitement” by “several persons under the direction of Mr Kazuo Okada, a former director of the company,” added the statement.

Universal Entertainment has been running Okada Manila via Philippine firm Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment Inc (TRLEI). Mr Okada contends he now controls the Philippine entity, following a Philippine Supreme Court order in April. A press release in his name, issued on Tuesday, said he was once again leading the resort.

But Universal Entertainment said in its Wednesday statement Mr Okada’s representatives had on Tuesday “illegally and violently entered and occupied Okada Manila premises”. Mr Okada founded Universal Entertainment and led it until 2017, when he was ousted after being accused of fraud, allegations he denies.

In 2017, Mr Okada had also been ousted from the TRLEI board, and the latter’s immediate parent, privately-held Hong Kong company, Tiger Resort Asia Ltd.

Universal Entertainment said the representatives of Mr Okada that entered the casino resort premises on Tuesday, included: “Mr Tonyboy Cojuangco, a former director of TRLEI, and Mr Dindo Espeleta, a building contractor, who, accompanied by approximately 50 Parañaque City police officers and private security guards and others, illegally and unceremoniously forced several TRLEI officers and employees to leave the premises and illegally dismissed key employees without any authority.”

The Japanese conglomerate added: “There are no administrative or judicial permits, orders, etc. to justify their actions, and these are serious criminal offences committed illegally and violently.”

In a separate press release, Mr Okada’s side said there was “no truth to the allegation that representatives of Kazuo Okada, made up of ’50 goons’ conducted a ‘violent’ and ‘illegal’ takeover” of Okada Manila. “The fact of the matter is that Mr Okada’s representatives included members of the Philippine National Police, four sheriffs, and [their presence was] witnessed by representatives of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor),” added the statement.

GGRAsia has approached Pagcor, the country’s casino regulator, for comment on the Okada Manila incident.

Mr Okada’s side said additionally that the businessman had been “reinstated as sole representative” of Tiger Resort Asia and chairman and chief executive of Okada Manila.

But Universal Entertainment asserted that Tiger Resort Asia, “having 99.9 percent of TRLEI’s voting rights, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company and a Hong Kong company, which is thus not under the jurisdiction of Philippine courts nor subject to the effect of the… order dated 27 April 2022, issued by the Philippine Supreme Court”.

The Japanese group stated that its own associates were in place at TRLEI at the instruction of Tiger Resort Asia, “in accordance with the law and will continue to be responsible for the management of TRLEI”.

It added that a liability for damages lawsuit brought by the company against Mr Okada had “already been confirmed”, as Mr Okada’s had lost a final decision in Japan’s Supreme Court, in September 2021.

(Updated at 8.25am, Jun 2)


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Universal Ent affiliate to develop land next to Okada Manila
    Universal Ent affiliate to develop land...

    Mar 24, 2023  

  • Universal Ent counterclaims are desperate: 26 Capital
    Universal Ent counterclaims are...

    Mar 21, 2023  

More news
  • Main-building work at Naga 3 begins mid-2023: NagaCorp
    Main-building work at Naga 3 begins...

    Mar 24, 2023  

  • Macau diversification into non-gaming to remain slow: Fitch
    Macau diversification into non-gaming...

    Mar 24, 2023  


Latest News

Main-building work at Naga 3 begins mid-2023: NagaCorp

Main-building work at Naga 3 begins mid-2023: NagaCorp

Mar 24, 2023  

Piling work for Naga 3, an addition to the NagaWorld gaming complex in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh, was at “96 percent completion”, said the promoter’s 2022 annual report, issued on...
Read More
Macau diversification into non-gaming to remain slow: Fitch

Macau diversification into non-gaming to remain slow: Fitch

Mar 24, 2023  

Osaka to up ‘gambling addiction’ centres before IR opens

Osaka to up ‘gambling addiction’ centres before IR

Mar 24, 2023  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day


April 8, 2028

Completion deadline for 'Marina Bay Sands 2.0', as authorised by Singapore’s authorities



Most Popular

  • Sands China woos Singaporeans as Air Macau opens routeSands China woos Singaporeans as Air Macau opens route March 23, 2023
  • Macau diversification into non-gaming to remain slow: FitchMacau diversification into non-gaming to remain slow: Fitch March 24, 2023
  • Main-building work at Naga 3 begins mid-2023: NagaCorpMain-building work at Naga 3 begins mid-2023: NagaCorp March 24, 2023
  • LVS gets 1-year extension for Marina Bay Sands 2.0 startLVS gets 1-year extension for Marina Bay Sands 2.0 start March 24, 2023
  • Universal Ent affiliate to develop land next to Okada ManilaUniversal Ent affiliate to develop land next to Okada Manila March 24, 2023
Copyright 2014-2023 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us