Philippines gaming officials acknowledged this week it had a “monitoring team” on the grounds of Okada Manila when an army of private security guards and members of the Philippine National Police forcible took control of the $2.4 billion casino resort.

On Tuesday, Tiger Resort, Leisure & Entertainment Inc. (TRLEI), the parent owner and operator of Okada Manila, said an unlawful coup of the casino property occurred led by Japanese billionaire Kazuo Okada. Company officials alleged the incident was “violent” and “illegal.”

The raid stems from a recent Philippines Supreme Court “Status Quo Ante Order” that ordered TRLEI to restore its board composition to its 2017 makeup that included Okada at the helm. Okada has maintained since his 2017 ousting from TRLEI and its associated Universal Entertainment Corporation that he was wrongly forced out of the companies he founded more than 50 years ago.

Agency Reps Witnessed Incident

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), which regulates the four commercial casinos in Manila’s Entertainment City, one being Okada Manila, confirmed yesterday it had representatives on site during the onslaught.

“The PAGCOR Monitoring Team assigned in Okada Manila monitored the situation with the purpose of protecting the interests of PAGCOR and the government, and to ensure that operations are not disrupted and the welfare of the playing patrons is ensured,” PAGCOR said in a statement.

Hours after the raid, a statement released by “The group of Chairman Kazuo Okada” said it’s “once again managing Okada Manila. All operations remain business as usual.”

Details Finally Emerge

Little was known about the takeover when TRLEI released a statement claiming company executives were forcibly escorted from their offices and off the property. Tiger Resort said the unauthorized group “illegally and violently took over the premises … employing brute force and intimidation to compel key legitimate officers to vacate the premises.”

The Okada group later denied those claims saying there “is no truth” to the allegation that a violent or illegal takeover occurred. PAGCOR, supposedly an impartial party in the matter, sought to clarify the incident with its own account of events.

“At around 9:45 am on May 31, 2022, the team from the former management of TRLEI arrived at Okada Manila. They proceeded immediately to the office to meet [Universal Entertainment Director] Mr. Hajima Tokuda,” the PAGCOR statement explained.

The Sheriff served the Supreme Court Status Quo Ante Order to Mr. Tokuda [and] informed Mr. Tokuda that based on the SQAO, Mr. Kazuo Okada was restored as Chairman and CEO of TRLEI. He then formally introduced the group of Mr. Kazuo Okada (who was present at that time thru zoom conference). The video conference ended at around 12:10 pm,” the PAGCOR statement continued.

“The PAGCOR Monitoring Team on duty at that time reported that Mr. Tokuda was then escorted outside the premises without being bodily hurt. The whole incident was covered by close circuit television cameras,” PAGCOR concluded.

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The NBA-to-Las Vegas rumor mill may be poised for closure and a lengthy one at that as Commissioner Adam Silver refuted the notion the league will be expanding over the next several years.

In remarks delivered earlier today prior to the start of the NBA Finals, Silver refuted the oft-mentioned rumor that the association is looking to add two teams following the 2024 season. That speculation has largely centered around two cities – Las Vegas and Seattle.

That talk is not true,” said Silver. “We are not discussing that at this time. As I’ve said before, at some point, this league will invariably expand. Just not at this moment that we’re discussing it.”

The commissioner’s comments arrive barely more than a week after a well-known Portland sports columnist said the NBA is readying current owners for expansion news and that the new teams will definitely be located in Las Vegas and Seattle.

It’s All About Talent

The long-running NBA/Las Vegas rumor also centers around the 2024 season, but that’s likely inaccurate because the league’s media rights deal doesn’t expire until the end of the 2025 season, making expansion prior to that difficult if not impossible.

Seattle, home to the Supersonics from 1967 through 2008, is in the same boat as Sin City. The NBA has 30 teams and expansion is likely to come in the form of an even number.

“As I’ve said before, I find it remarkable that when you have the second-most played sport in the world after soccer, you have the 450 best in the world in this league and there’s a few that separate themselves as the very best of the best, but there is a drop-off in talent after that. Expansion creates a certain amount of dilution,” said the commissioner.

Las Vegas fans may take issue with those comments on the basis that the NHL’s made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in their inaugural season. However, comparable success is far from guaranteed in NBA expansion. For example, the New Orleans Pelicans — the association’s youngest franchise — has never played in a conference finals and previous NBA expansion teams needed several years before making postseason appearances.

NBA Bullish on Las Vegas, Seattle

While fans in Las Vegas and Seattle are likely somewhat jilted following Silver comments, the commissioner praised both cities while leaving the door open to eventually having franchises in those locations.

“Those are wonderful markets,” he said. “Las Vegas has shown itself to be a great pro sports market as well.”

The largest domestic casino center will again host the NBA Summer League starting next month and the Los Angeles Lakers — one of the association’s most venerable franchises — will play two exhibition games in Las Vegas in October.

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Big Time Gaming, the Evolution AB company that started the Megaways slot revolution has released a new 6-reel game with Wild Portals and other sci-fi, otherworldly features. The Megaways engine is a feature mechanic that turns a slot machine into a whole new virtual game with every spin with up to 117,649 ways to win.

The game, with a max win potential of 29,580x your stake, can open a 2×2 Wild Portal on reels 2 to 5. After a winning spin, the Wild portal will open and reveal a random symbol that could lead to an even bigger win. After each win involving the Wild Portal, new symbols will drop in from above to give you even more chances to win big.

During free games, it’s guaranteed to trigger after every single spin. During the Roaming Wild free spins, an unlimited wild portal multiplier can come into play.

Trade 75x Your Stake From a Big Win for 8 Free Games

Wild Portals also has a Win Exchange feature that will let you gamble or exchange your bigger wins for free games or a chance to trigger 8 free games.

The game is rich in sight and sound experience with a pastel neon chrome spaceship hull in the background and rhythmic accented atmospheric sounds to go with all the action.

BTG CEO Nik Robinson commented: “This is a space epic with some epic features and potentially epic wins. Best of all, it’s hugely engaging, with a simple learning curve that will please recreational players and hardened slots fans alike. Thanks again, to my brilliant team for this futuristic little belter.”

A deeper look at the game reveals that when you wind at least 75x your stake on a spin you can exchange 75x your stake for 8 free spins. You’ll be presented with an option the Exchange or Collect. The exchange option will show “8 free spins + the coin amount more than 75x your stake that you won – the coin amount goes to your balance no matter what. The collect option will simply show the size of your win of 75x stake or me.

Gambel for a Chance to Win 8 Free Spins

Whenever you win at least 25x your stake but not more than 75x you gamble it all for a chance to win 8 games. Your chances of winning are shown as green on a wheel and your chances of losing are shown in red. The closer to 75x your stake the win is, the bigger the green sections will be.

Three or more scatters triggers free games with a Wild Multiplier that carries over from spin to spin and may increase in value.

Source: Big Time Gaming Wild Portals, BTG Games, May 26, 2022

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In addition to other developments, B2B game developers and supplier Push Gaming has inked a deal with Coolbet sports and casino to get its games out to a wider audience in Europe and North America. The games will begin integration presently.

Push is the developer of popular online real money slots like Big Bamboo, Nightfall, and Jammin’ Jars as well as the “Fat” series of slots with a new install for the franchise just released.

The North American expansion for Push Gaming with Coolbet is in the nascent and bustling Ontario, Canada market with strategic releases expected by the Coolbet operator in Sweden and Estonia in Europe under the deal.

One of the assets of Push Gaming that made the deal possible is GSI which the firm acquired in January 2020. GSI developed and deployed platform solutions and two of its key products were the Hive RGS (remote gaming server) and Mesh Aggregator. The tools opened doors for Push Gaming that had to be worked around before including game design and distribution as well as overall platform functionality.

CEO and Co-Founder of Push Gaming, James Marshall said at the time: “The acquisition of GSI is a real game-changer for us and we’re confident it will help us to become a key player within the industry.

“The launch of our own platform gives us full control of our game development, delivery and operator integrations. We will now also benefit from GSI’s extensive industry knowledge and experience, as well as their fantastic technical team.”

Canada and Latin America Markets

In April this year, Coolbet transitioned its Canadian offering from its Malta Gaming Authority license administration to a new iGaming Ontario license issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

In addition to the newly regulated Canadian market, Push will take advantage of the growing Coolbet presence in Latin America.

Push games can be found across Europe with online operators such as 888, Casumo, Betsson, Svenska Spel, LeoVegas, PaddyPower, Betfair, Entain, and 32red among many others under its MGA license.

Fiona Hickey, Head of Sales at Push Gaming said: “It is a pleasure to partner with Coolbet, this deal comes at an exciting time as we continue to work on providing the industry with our most varied and high-quality releases to date.”

“Equally, Coolbet currently operates in Ontario and has a presence in PushLatin America and this represents a great opportunity for both parties to focus on future growth in these burgeoning markets.”

Head of Casino and Games at Coolbet, Patrik Backlund added: “Push’s vast portfolio of fan-favourite titles will both engage and excite our players and we look forward to seeing the reception its extensive slot offering will receive.”

Fat Banker Slot Finally Hits the Market

Push Gaming’s latest addition to and the fourth installment in its “Fat” series which includes Fat Rabbit, Fat Santa, and Fat Drac.

Push CEO Marshall commented: “Fat Banker expands upon our much-loved Fat Series whilst adding its unique twist on the growing franchise.

“I’m proud of our team’s work to bring a fresh 1920’s theme, new instant win prizes, multipliers, and additional features to the franchise. We are looking forward to adding this release to our growing portfolio of high-quality hits and are excited to see players’ reaction to it.”

The game is set against the 1920s Manhattan skyline and features reel symbols like top hats and cigars, the banker’s wife and dog, and others to fit the theme.

The game has 6 reels and 50 paylines. Bullion symbols can fall anywhere on the reelset to award multipliers up to 100x when a silver safe lands on the sixth reel and awards them. The random Red Car feature can be triggered at the end of any spin with wild money bags, Bullion, and Safe symbols added to the reels. Land a WIld Money Bag along with Fat Banker to trigger free spins.

The game carries on Push’s signature graphical charm and sense of humor found in the earlier Fat slots.

Source: Push Expands in Europe and North America With Coolbet Partnership, Push Gaming Blog

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On Sunday, May 22^nd, 2022 Manchester City made a historic 3 – goals over the course of only 5 – minutes in order to turn the tables on an intense as well as dramatic end to the 2021 – 2022 season. Manchester City was ultimately able to clinch their 6^th – English Premier League championship title over the course of just 11 – seasons, as Man City rallied to defeat Aston Villa with the final tally of 3 to 2 as they held off Liverpool’s hard – fought challenge last Sunday.

After starting the day in the 1^st – place slot, Manchester City was at a major risk of a momentous let – down choke when after they conceded 2 – goals in order to trail 2 to 0 in their home stadium against Aston Villa.

?lkay Gündo?an’s head – shot began the ultimate come – from – behind that started during the 76^th – minute. Rodri equalized just 2 – minutes after that when he managed to fit the football through very a tight gap in order to find the back of the net into the bottom corner of the goal. The Etihad Stadium exploded into mass celebrations during the 81^st – minute of game action when Gündo?an tapped in the cross from Kevin De Bruyne.

“It was an unbelievable game,” Gündo?an explained. “We are human beings and, after going 2 – 0 down, the chances were just very, very small. But we had to do the simple things and scoring 2 – goals quickly and then having 10 – minutes to score the third one gave us the right lift.”

The importance of that goal seemed to become much clearer just several moments later. Liverpool had been locked at 1 to 1 stalemate versus Wolverhampton, but Mohamed Salah then put the 2^nd – place EPL club in front by the score of 2 to 1 during the 84^th – minute of the contest. That score – line would have potentially propelled Liverpool into 1^st – place in the EPL had Manchester City not just mounted one hell of a come – back effort in order to eventually take the lead of this crucial game.

The jeopardy still lingered when Andy Robertson sealed – up Liverpool’s 3 to 1 victory while Manchester City would have given – up the English Premier League championship title if they had found a way to concede a late equalizer to Aston Villa.

Manchester City got themselves in trouble against a lowly club, who had very little to play for, until Matty Cashheaded – in a sweet goal vs. Aston Villa in front of the net during the 37^th – minute of the match, and former star of Liverpool, Philippe Coutinho, expanded the advantage in the 69^th – minute to the amazement of the players of Manchester City.

Gündo?an had come off of the bench just a minute earlier, which was among one of Pep Guardiola’s 2^nd – half substitutions that would translate to great things for Manchester City at the end of this instant classic for the English Premier League championship title.

“He came on and changed the whole game,” the Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden stated. “He always knows where the ball is going to be in and around the box. He’s such a clever player.”

Manchester City somehow managed to recapture the championship trophy by just a single – point following their 38^thand final contest in such a fashion that was more nail – biting and crazy than was ever anticipated especially because Manchester City at one point held a 14 – point lead way back in January of 2022.

“We are legends,” Pep Guardiola emotionally expressed. “When you win 4 in 5 then it’s because these guys are so special. We will be remembered.”

This was the 1^st – occasion since Guardiola took control way back in 2016 that Man City has secured the English Premier League championship title in front of their home – town supporters and fans that had trickled onto the field buy the thousands when the final blow of the whistle was pronounces in this huge game versus Aston Villa.

Even though it all came down to the wire, it was not as excruciatingly late as 10 – years ago when Manchester City’s 1^st– English Premier League title was set in concrete with stoppage – time goals at the very conclusion of that season at the historic and legendary Etihad Stadium.

“This is the Man City spirit,” the departing captain Fernandinho said. “You never give up. You always go to the end. It happened 10 – years ago and it’s happened again.”

The success back in 2012 was Manchester City’s first championship crown in approximately 44 – years with Roberto Mancini as their head coach in charge who ushered in the era of dominance enjoyed by a football club that was ultimately transformed by the influx of the investments made from Abu Dhabi.

Manchester City is now experiencing as well as fully celebrating the constant stream of championship titles they once used to have to watch their crosstown rivals in Manchester United compile up under the control of their manager, Alex Ferguson.

The rise of Manchester City was very much in stride with the retirement of the Scottish – native that had previously won the English Premier League title 13 – times from the year of 1993 to the year of 2013.

While Manchester United has a record 20 – English Premier League titles, Manchester City only moved onto 8, that includes the championship title successes way back in 1937 as well as 1968 well before the inception of the English Premier League. That is quite the sign of how detached these city rivals are now on the field as Man City is finishing 35 – points in front of their 6^th – placed next – door – neighbor in Manchester United.

Recently Liverpool has been a much larger threat to Pep’s football club who has been dominating the EPL as of late. Over the course of the last 5 – seasons, the only time Manchester City did not win the EPL championship title trophy was when Liverpool’s 30 – year EPL championship title drought was finally put to rest back in the year of 2020.

It will, however, be another season finishing with Manchester City coming up short of winning the largest and most coveted prize in European football, the Champions League, while Liverpool will play against Real Madrid in the Champions League final on Saturday, May 28^th, 2022.

While Liverpool’s net expenditure on transfers has been approximately $250 million over the last 5 – years, Manchester City’s has equated to over $530 million.

Manchester City’s financial struggle sure as hell not enough in order to convince Tottenham Hotspur to sell Harry Kane ahead of this upcoming season, leaving Guardiola to accomplish this English Premier League championship title without a very recognizable and dominant striker.

Yet, Manchester City was able to destroy the English transfer record by signing Jack Grealish for 100 million pounds ($139 million), and he still did not have to bring the strong midfielder off of the bench on last Sunday, May 22^nd, 2022 while playing against his former football club.

Manchester City has already protected their attack for the upcoming 2022 – 2023 next season, with a deal that they conducted with Borussia Dortmund in order to sign Erling Haaland for 60 million euros ($63 million), which will no doubtably add one of Europe’s most exciting and promising young forwards to their already championship contending football club.

There are still some major concerns remaining regarding the human rights activists and less wealthy rivals about the football squad’s Abu Dhabi ownership and their overall actions.

The human rights violations made by the country of United Arab Emirates have been looked past by Manchester City fans who largely accept how their football club has been utilized by another nation as a tool of soft – power that exploits the attraction of the world’s biggest professional game / sport in order to wipe their image clean.

The owner of Manchester City, Sheikh Mansour, has only been witnessed attending 1 – match throughout the course of his 14 – years as owner of the football club. Mansour, who is the undisputed prime minister of the UAE, was condemned by the government of the United Kingdom recently for hosting the President of Syria in President Bashar al – Assad.

Manchester City was fined €10 million ($12 million) back in 2020 for tampering with a UEFA investigation in to their finances after there were leaks of some internal correspondence at the club level, although a Champions League tournament ban was ultimately overturned by UEFA.

Despite the ongoing English Premier League investigations into the overall conduct of Manchester City, including whether or not the overly – inflated Abu Dhabi – linked sponsorship has anything to do with boosted income of the English football giant, Pep Guardiola has long denied any concerns regarding the manner in which his football club has been funded over recent years.

“Tomorrow we can celebrate together in the Manchester streets with cigars and beers,” the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich head coach mentioned following winning a 10^th – league title during time in management of the club.

Sources:

Harris, Rob. “Man City wins 6th EPL title in 11 seasons in dramatic finale”. The Associated Press. May 22, 2022.

Harris, Rob. “3 goals in 5 – minute recovery wins Premier League for City”. The Associated Press. May 22, 2022.

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