Korea-facing junket Dowinn Group had yet to reopen its Philippine junket rooms as of Monday evening, despite claiming last week that it would open all of its rooms by 2pm after what it described as an “emergency temporary cease of operation”.
Operator representatives spoken to by Inside Asian Gaming said they had seen no signs of Dowinn operations resuming and had been given no indication of if and when this would take place. While the company had stated its intention to reopen Monday, IAG understands that no staff were told to return to work this week.
As first reported by Inside Asian Gaming, Dowinn ceased activity across all of its casino and VIP Club operations and withdrew its managers last week, with sources claiming that many managers and cage staff have left the country and all liquidity dried up.
A statement later sent by unnamed Dowinn Group representatives described the closure as an “emergency temporary cease of operation” to “protect the valuable interests of our customers and shareholders”. It also blamed the closure on “unjust external attacks and slander”.
Local media outlet The Manila Times said Monday that these so-called “external attacks and slander” related to recent reports by a Korean media outlet claiming that Dowinn had looked into purchasing up to 500 slot machines from KL Saberi – the slot machine arm of Kangwon Land – for use in its casino at Manila’s Heritage Hotel.
According to The Manila Times, a Dowinn legal representative, Ignacio Manapil, claims this transaction did not proceed with the company purchasing machines from Australia instead. Manapil also rejected suggestions that the junket group is bankrupt but confirmed a number of Korean agents had tried to withdraw money from Dowinn’s accounts on 18 June after the same Korean media outlet reported on a “deposit accident” to the tune of KRW130 billion (US$94 million).
Dowinn had until last week operated the casino at Manila’s Heritage Hotel and Casino and VIP rooms at Okada Manila, Solaire Resort Entertainment City, City of Dreams Manila, D’Heights Resort and Casino, and Royce Hotel and Casino.
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