Operator to focus on online gaming services as soaring fuel costs hits in-person gaming
Universal Entertainment Corp. said its Okada Manila resort casino generated casino GGR of just under PHP6.47bn, ($108m) in the first quarter of 2026, showing a heavy fall of 16 per cent from a year earlier, although revenues did increase by 9.1 per cent, quarter-to-quarter. Operating profit fell by 92.8 per cent.
Revenue in the VIP segment dropped by 19 per cent year-on-year to about PHP1.44bn, due to a lower win rate. Mass-market table revenue fell by 24.2 per cent to PHP2.30bn, whilst slot revenue fell by 8.9 per cent to PHP2.73bn.
Universal said: “The gaming market in Entertainment City, Manila, Philippines, remains in a period of adjustment; furthermore, due to the impact of the situation in the Middle East, the market as a whole continues to contract. Additionally, against the backdrop of structural changes in the VIP market, intense competition among companies to acquire mass-market customers continues, and customer acquisition costs are rising.
“Although VIP turnover exceeded the same period last year, VIP revenue fell short of the prior-year figure due to a decline in the win rate. While both turnover and revenue from table games and gaming machines were lower than in the same period last year, we were able to maintain an operating profit. This was achieved by reducing selling, general, and administrative expenses through the optimisation of fixed costs resulting from a review of our cost structure, as well as a decrease in depreciation expenses following the revaluation of assets in the previous fiscal year. We will continue to work on improving profitability by curbing unnecessary expenses and restructuring our services.”
The Philippine gaming market is expected to face intensifying competition, and the impact of the situation in the Middle East is anticipated to persist beyond the second quarter. To accommodate guests who find it difficult to visit Okada Manila in person due to factors such as soaring fuel costs, the operator said it would continue to focus on online gaming services for the Philippine market, including Okada Play.
The group said: “We position Okada Play as a service designed to carve out a niche in the highly competitive Philippine online gaming market as a leading challenger, offering a high-quality digital experience that sets itself apart from competitors and aligns with the premium standards of the Okada Manila brand. We have partnered with PhilWeb Corporation, which has a proven track record in regulated gaming platforms and nationwide operations, to provide a seamless and engaging user experience for the growing base of digital gamers.
“Okada Manila will continue to focus on introducing new gaming products, driving innovation in the market, and enhancing its loyalty program. We are committed to providing consistently fresh and exciting experiences that elevate the gaming industry, while striving to offer our customers even more dynamic and engaging services.”
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Operator to focus on online gaming services as soaring fuel costs hits in-person gaming Universal Entertainment Corp. said its Okada Manila resort casino generated casino GGR of just under PHP6.47bn, ($108m) in the first quarter of 2026, showing a heavy fall of 16 per cent from a year earlier, although revenues did increase by 9.1…
The post Okada Manila intensifies online efforts as revenue falls across the gaming floor appeared first on G3 Newswire.