Inside Asian Gaming

IAG DEC 2022年12月 亞博匯 70 PHILIPPINES We believe that our property is comparable to other integrated resorts in Singapore and Macau. 我們相信我們的度假村可與新加坡及澳門的 綜合度假村相媲美。 BB: From a gaming perspective, where is the company’s focus – the broader mass market or the more premium gaming space? BY: I believe there are several challenges facing the VIP/ premium gaming space, including the collapse of the Macau junket market. In a way I believe these challenges will continue to impact the regional VIP and premiummarket at least in the near term, maybe even longer than that, we don’t know. We believe we’re well positioned despite the challenges in the VIP market given our focus on the mass and premium mass market. We made a conscious effort in the past couple of years to increase our presence in the mass and premium mass market segments. BB: What is the status of the planned SPAC merger with 26 Capital Acquisition Corp which will see Okada Manila listed on the Nasdaq? BY: On 30 September 2022, our parent company, UEC, announced a one-year extension of the merger agreement deadline with 26 Capital. The extension was signed because of the delay caused by the illegal takeover [of Okada Manila by a group associated with company founder Kazuo Okada]. BB: What do you see as themain factors that will drive growth in the Philippines gaming market over the coming years? BY: I think the Philippine market will continue to benefit both from strong economic GDP growth, which was over 6% in 2019, pre-COVID, and from inbound tourism.