PH Resorts Group Holdings, Inc, the gaming and hospitality arm of Philippines business giant Udenna Group, has signed a letter of intent with Japanese junket operator ASKI Japan Limited.
The letter of intent is set to form the basis for a partnership agreement under which ASKI Japan would work as a junket operator and provide players for PH Resorts Group’s Cebu integrated resort Emerald Bay, due to open in late 2021.
According to a Thursday announcement, ASKI Japan provides junket and VIP gaming services for Japanese players within Asia, with junket operations currently operating at South Korea’s Paradise City in Incheon and Paradise Casino Busan, plus two integrated resorts in Entertainment City under the Friday Club brand.
“We are very excited to get ASKI as a potential partner in the junket and VIP segment of Emerald Bay,” said PH Resorts Group COO José Angel Sueiro.
“The Japanese are no strangers to the Philippines, particularly Cebu, and we believe that Emerald Bay will be a very welcome attraction to them when it opens.”
ASKI Japan CEO Nobuhiro Imigi said, “We want to be ready and hit the ground running when the tourism and gaming industry recovers from the pandemic. Our players are always looking for new and fun gaming destinations and Emerald Bay fits the bill with its convenient location just a few minutes from the airport and with a long and beautiful beachfront feature.”
PH Resorts Group is aiming for a soft launch of Emerald Bay by the end of 2021 followed by a full opening in 2Q22.
The first phase of the property will feature 122 gaming tables split between mass, premium mass and junkets, plus 600 EGMs and 270 hotel room bays located alongside a 300-meter strip of beach front.
