Casino operator Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment, owner of Okada Manila, has announced the launch of “Okada Play”, an online gaming platform developed in partnership with PhilWeb Corporation, as it responds to declining revenues and mounting pressure on its traditional business model.
The move follows a reported PHP 34.8 billion in annual revenue, marking a 21.8% year-on-year decline, alongside a 37.7% drop in EBITDA. The VIP segment, historically the most profitable, also contracted by 9.4%, generating approximately PHP 3.15 billion. This downturn comes despite an increase in foot traffic, with 1.71 million visitors recorded in the fourth quarter, signaling a decline in average spending per player.
Located in Manila’s Entertainment City, Okada Manila is one of Southeast Asia’s largest integrated resorts, featuring over 1,000 hotel rooms and an expansive casino floor. The operation is currently led by Nobuki Sato, president and COO since 2025, under Japan-based Universal Entertainment Corporation, historically linked to entrepreneur Kazuo Okada.
Under the agreement, PhilWeb will provide the full technological backbone of the platform, including infrastructure, gaming content, and operational management, while Okada Manila retains regulatory oversight and customer engagement. PhilWeb, now backed by investors led by Crisanto Roy B. Alcid, is expanding its footprint in the B2B online gaming segment.
The deal marks PhilWeb’s second major partnership with a casino operator, following its earlier agreement with Hann Casino Resort, and comes amid strong market momentum, with the company’s stock rising approximately 92.9% year-to-date in 2026.
Across Asia, traditional casino operators are increasingly pivoting toward digital platforms to offset declining VIP revenues and capture broader user bases. In the Philippines—one of the region’s fastest-growing gaming markets—online gaming is expected to become a key revenue driver, supported by favorable regulation and a rapidly expanding digital consumer base.
