Inside Asian Gaming

OCTOBER 2018 INSIDE ASIAN GAMING 19 to the authorities. We have conclusive evidence that what they’re saying is either fraudulent, wrong, lies or deceit and it will be shown that law enforcement was basically investigating the wrong party, that they themselves were duped, and I expect to be vindicated in court. Please understand, I love Universal, I created Universal and I’m trying to protect it. The person who loves the company the most, the one that has nurtured it for 50 years, is that one person going to do something as stupid as what they are claiming I did? That one person who protected it and made it what it is, is he going to do these petty, minor actions or in the way that they described them? That owner, the founder, is he going to do that to his own company? It’s ridiculous. Universal management is using every method to twist stories and facts into making it look as though I’ve committed a crime. It’s because they need me to be a criminal in order for me not to be part of the company. They need to use elements, even police, to facilitate their goals, to make me look as though I did something wrong. But I’ve done nothing wrong. I only ask that people take a step back and look at this with a calm state of mind and a neutral view, to try and really break down what is truly going on. And once they understand, I think they will see the truth. MC: In March Universal accepted US$2.6 billion for its 20% stake in Wynn that was seized in February 2012, when Wynn removed you as vice chairman. You’re a major shareholder in Universal, why didn’t you participate in the settlement? KO: The problem lies in the fact that Universal removed me from the company. There was a director’s meeting that took place on 23 May 2017 where they suspended my powers and then there was a COVER STORY I love Universal, I created Universal and I’m trying to protect it. The person who loves the company the most, the one that has nurtured it for 50 years, is that one person going to do something as stupid as what they are claiming I did? shareholders’ meeting that took place on 29 June [where Okada was not reelected as a director]. Let me go back one step – 18 May was when I learned for the first time that my son and daughter were getting together [to oppose Okada]. That was regarding the movements within Okada Holdings. The first thing I wanted to do was get hold of my daughter and son to discuss this issue. But I could not get hold of them. I had no idea what was really, truly going on, no one informed me. How