Okada Manila operator Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment Inc (TRLEI) says it has commenced a soft launch of its online gaming platform for the Philippines domestic market, with full expansion to take place this month.
The launch comes almost a year after TRLEI received approval from gaming regulator PAGCOR to conduct online gaming out of Okada Manila as part of the government’s so-called Philippine Inland Gaming Operators (PIGO) scheme.
The company said it had held a soft launch earlier this month after completing simulation testing around its systems, the collection of taxes and licensing fees, anti-money laundering and other systems. A full launch of online gaming operations will commence in mid-April.
According to TRLEI, there are currently eight table games – comprising six baccarat and two roulette tables – plus 80 electronic gaming machines available on Okada Manila’s online platform. This will increase to 16 tables, including 14 baccarat tables, and 150 EGMs by the end of the month.
Online gaming revenue will be incorporated for the first time into parent company Universal Entertainment Corp’s financial results for FY22.
Introduced in response to the closure of land-based gaming venues due to COVID-19, PAGCOR’s PIGO scheme allows casino and integrated resort operators to be licensed to offer online gambling to existing registered members, allowing those members to log in and play from anywhere within the country.
