Pagcor to hold Okada’s casino license

That appears to be where things are heading unless Okada can resolve all the allegations that are coming his way from the Philippine government.

Manila Bay Resorts now faces the prospect of being completed but not being able to open its casinos. But that is the predicament Okada and Universal Entertainment have found themselves in after getting embroiled in allegations of violating the Philippines’ anti-dummy law.

“We have sent them a notice that we will not allow them to start casino operations until all their pending cases are resolved,” Hernando recently told a House committee on games and amusement. But despite all the warnings Pagcor has issued to Okada and Tiger Resorts, the Philippine subsidiary of Universal, the latter remains firm on its commitment to finish construction on schedule with an eye to opening the resort late next year.

That in itself could be a problem, too, something a local congressman pointed out during the committee hearing. “They might use that against you,” Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. of Dasmariñas City in Cavite told Pagcor. “If you do not allow them to open, they will go after Pagcor and they might even claim reimbursement for what they have spent.”

The congressman expressed concern that if Pagcor continues to let Okada build his integrated resort and casino in the country, he would be empowered to open his casino despite Pagcor’s warnings. Hernando, however, doused those concerns, assuring Philippine lawmakers that Pagcor will act on stopping construction of the resort if its warnings to Okada aren’t taken seriously.