Philippines integrated resort Okada Manila says it is in the process of recruiting and training more staff with the goal of boosting its marketing capabilities as it looks to grow market share.
According to an update contained in parent company Universal Entertainment Corp’s financial results for the September 2024 quarter, Okada Manila specifically wants to improve its marketing strength in the gaming business with one goal being to attract more people living in areas outside of Manila and of Luzon Island as a whole. This, it says, will help it “serve a broader range of guests who live in the Philippines.”
The company added that such measures to strengthen marketing activities also has the goal of attracting tourists from Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asian countries.
Universal reported net sales of JPY 92.4 billion for the first nine months of 2024 combined, down 25.6% year-on-year on declines in both the integrated resort (Okada Manila) and Amusement Equipments Business (pachinko) segments. Net loss of JPY19.5 billion compares with a profit of JPY23.9 billion over the same period last year.
The decline in performance at Okada Manila, where net sales fell 18.9% year-on-year to JPY60.9 billion through September, was due to the number of VIP guests continuing to fall in line with a broader slowdown of the Philippines’ junket business, Universal said. It also faced a lower win rate in the rolling chip business than in the prior year period.
However, “Although the performance of the mass market and gaming machine sectors was down from the previous year when demand significantly rebounded following the pandemic, sales are increasing steadily in comparison with the pre-pandemic peak sales of this business in 2019. In the hotel and food and beverage businesses, the number of guests is consistently high,” the company explained said.
In the pachinko business, net sales of JPY30.8 billion was down 36.1% year-on-year thanks to a sluggish market, although Universal said the business climate is expected to recover due to the penetration of both smart pachinko machines and pachinko machines with a lucky trigger function offering richer game elements.
“Universal Entertainment will continue to work on developing unique and appealing titles. Our goal is to play a role in vitalizing the entire amusement equipment industry as we increase our share of this market,” it said.
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