Okada Manila warns against online casino, sale rumours

Jan 25, 2021 Newsdesk Latest News, Philippines, Top of the deck  

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The Okada Manila casino resort (pictured) in the Philippine capital has issued separate advisory notices warning respectively of unauthorised parties operating an “online casino” using the property’s name, and downplaying rumours that the group’s business or assets are for sale.

“It appears that certain persons and groups are promoting an online casino claiming to be operated by Okada Manila,” said the resort’s promoter in one of the statements issued earlier this month.

“Please be advised that such claims are false. Okada Manila does not operate an online gaming facility or service at present,” it added.

Okada Manila is promoted by a unit of Japan’s Universal Entertainment Corp.

The statement also said that any online material related to gaming or promotional activities that used the name ‘Okada Manila’ but did not come from the official Okada Manila online-media platforms, was “fake” and was “not connected with Okada Manila in any way”.

It added: “We urge the public not to patronise these unauthorised online gaming operations, which are illegal and punishable under the law.”

In a separate statement, the venue’s promoter said: “It appears that certain persons and groups are spreading claims and rumors that Okada Manila’s business or assets are for sale. Please be advised that such claims and rumours are false and fake news.”

The resort’s promoter said additionally that the use of Okada Manila’s name, brand and trademarks for commerce without its consent constituted a “violation against the law”.

It added it could take legal action against those infringing on its corporate identity and exploiting the use of its brands without authorisation.

In December, the Philippine casino regulator confirmed that three of Manila’s Entertainment City gaming resorts were among venues approved to offer online gaming to domestic players via their premises using a new Philippine Inland Gaming Operator (PIGO) licence.

They were: Okada Manila; Solaire Resort and Casino, run by Bloomberry Resorts Corp; and City of Dreams Manila, operated by a unit of Asian operator Melco Resorts and Entertainment Ltd.

PIGO licences are for online gambling services to a domestic market, rather than the so-called Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) permits, for services aimed at players overseas.

(Updated at 9:06am, Jan 26)

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