Tiger Resorts launches lawsuit against Kazuo Okada

Kazuo Okada

The ongoing feud between Tiger Resorts Asia Limited and maverick Japanese tycoon Kazuo Okada may have reached somewhat calmer waters, but the five-year long dispute over the ownership of the Okada Manila casino complex is far from resolution.

Indeed, TRAL, the parent organization of gaming operator Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment Limited Inc. (TRLEI) have now raised legal action against the 79-year-old billionaire. Given events that unfolded towards the end of May, TRAL’s pursuit of Mr. Okada is hardly surprising. Emboldened by a Status Quo Ante order issued by the Philippine Supreme Court, Kazuo Okada, flanked by associates and a small clutch of local police officials, stormed the Okada Manila resort, seizing operational control. True, the national courts had ruled in favour of the Osaka-born entrepreneur, overruling a dated fraud charge which had resulted in his removal from the casino’s boardroom. Yet, the aggressive nature of Okada’s occupation, coupled with the physical ejection of the TRLEI senior leadership team, did much to undermine the integrity of his cause.

Unsettled by the Okada’s actions, the Philippine Department of Justice, in conjunction with the Philippine Amusement & Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), facilitated the return of TRLEI executives to the integrated resort. Nevertheless, given Okada’s legal mandate, his position on the board remains, and TRLEI have reluctantly respected the billionaire’s right to maintain building access, and contribute to business affairs.

Nevertheless, as a consequence of Kazuo Okada’s unruly takeover attempt, TRAL have opted to sue the ‘current’ Chief Executive for financial damages. Furthermore, the Asian gambling giant have added a second allegation to their legal case, suggesting that Mr. Okada falsified the seniority of his role at the casino when he was originally put under the microscope in 2017.

‘’As a result of Kazuo Okada’s criminal acts, the operations of TRLEI and Okada Manila have been unjustly paralyzed, and consequently TRAL has suffered significant and irreparable loss,’’ a TRAL statement said.

It’s believed Tiger Resorts Asia Limited will mobilize additional lawsuits, relating to other claims against Okada, in the upcoming weeks and months.