Okada Manila’s PokerStars LIVE named as Best Poker Room at 2024 IAG Academy IR Awards

Situated right in Manila, Philippines‘ premier gaming destination, Forbes five star resort Okada Manila stands as the epitome of luxury across the capital’s Entertainment City since it was established seven years ago. Over at this week’s Inside Asian Gaming Academy IR Awards held in The Ballroom at Hilton Manila, Newport World Resorts, the renowned resort was regarded for its high standards, and added two more accolades to its impressive mantle of merits.

Throughout twenty two award categories, Okada Manila’s PokerStars LIVE rose to the podium having been reared as the winner of the Best Poker Room in an IR award, with President and Chief Operating Officer, Byron Yip accepting the title on its behalf. Global brand PokerStars serves as a state-of-the-art venue which provides regular cash games, as well as some of the country’s richest poker events. The renowned operator was hailed as the most outstanding poker room in the Asia-Pacific region, beating the likes of MGM COTAI Poker Room, Newport World Resorts Poker Room, Star Poker Gold Coast and the Wynn Macau Poker Room, for the title.

Additionally, Okada Manila’s Assistant Vice President for Loyalty, CRM, Promotions & Events, Joe Sam, followed Yip across the stage moments later after being inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Rising Star. Sam’s leadership and commitment to improving overall customer experiences earned him the recognition, standing alongside Ankur Sharma and Jack Curtis as the industry’s latest IAG Hall of Fame members.

2024 IAG Academy IR Awards

1. Best Overall Architectural Impact of an IR
   Marina Bay Sands for Marina Bay Sands
2. Best IR Resort Attraction
   Marina Bay Sands for SkyPark Observation Deck
3. Best Overall Retail Offering by an IR
   Marina Bay Sands for Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
4. Best Overall F&B Offering by an IR
   Galaxy Entertainment Group for Galaxy Macau
5. Best Hotel Attached to an IR
   Raffles at Galaxy Macau
6. Best Slot Solution
   Aristocrat for Dragon Link
7. Best ETG Solution
   LT Game for live multi-game stadiums
8. Best Table Game Solution
   Walker Digital Table Systems for Perfect Pay
9. Best Sports Betting Solution in an IR
   MacauSLOT at Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino
10. Best Poker Room in an IR
    PokerStars at Okada Manila
11. Best Membership Program
    MGM China for Mlife
12. Best IR Gaming Floor
    Bloomberry Resorts Corporation for Solaire Entertainment City
13. Best CSR Initiative
    Melco Resorts & Entertainment for Simple Acts of Kindness
14. Best Overall CSR Program
    Melco Resorts & Entertainment
15. Best Legal and Compliance Program
    Marina Bay Sands
16. Best Workplace
    Light & Wonder
17. Best Overall Marketing Program
    Bloomberry Resorts Corporation
18. Best IR or Supplier Solution
    Aristocrat for Dragon Link
19. Best IR or Supplier Innovation
    Walker Digital Table Systems for Perfect Pay
20. Best Industry Supplier
    Light & Wonder
21. Best Regional Asia-Pacific IR
    Bloomberry Resorts Corporation for Solaire Entertainment City
22. Best Integrated Resort
    Galaxy Entertainment Group for Galaxy Macau

HALL OF FAME

Rising Stars
Ankur Sharma
Jack Curtis
Joe Sam

Industry Icons
Andrew MacDonald
Kevin Benning
Han Tian

Outstanding CEO
Francis Lui

Industry Legend
Ciarán Carruthers

Up Next at PokerStars LIVE Manila

Players in search of a world class poker experience will find PokerStars LIVE’s tournament calendar consistently offering great value games all throughout the year. In just four days, runners can head down to the widely praised poker room and see for themselves what the buzz is actually about. The 19th edition of its homegrown Manila Megastack series, running from September 19-29, features a forty trophy event lineup and guarantees over PHP 37,000,000 (~USD 655,810) in prizes to be awarded.

Last season saw Norway’s Henrik Tollefsen top the charts, taking with him a six figure (USD) score, having claimed the richest Manila Megastack showing in the brand’s history. PokerStars LIVE’s reach across the region continues to grow and doesn’t appear to slow down anytime soon with two of its biggest events for 2024 remaining on the horizon.

Three more events for 2024 come in following with the APPT Manila Championship Warm Up due just two weeks later, proceeding swiftly with its APPT Manila Championship grand festivities. PokerStars caps the year with the 20th installment of its fan favorite Manila Megastack from November 29th through December 8th.

• Manila Megastack 19: September 19-29
• APPT Manila Championship Warm-Up: October 14-17
• APPT Manila Championship: October 18-27
• Manila Megastack 20: November 29-December 8

The highly anticipated Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) Championship will take place from October 18-27, boasting an epic PHP 152,500,000 (~USD 2.7 Million) in guarantees. The largest PokerStars event to hit the local scene comes with at least seven guaranteed highlights, the biggest of which stands to be the APPT Main Event Championship with a PHP 55 Million (~USD 974K) minimum prize pool.

Apart from its local offerings, PokerStars LIVE has also broken through the international segment with its flagship live series, Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) available at NagaWorld Integrated Resorts, Phnom Penh, Cambodia from November 15 to 25, 2024.

About Okada Manila

Okada Manila, a Forbes 5-star destination in the Philippines, seamlessly blends unmatched hospitality, gaming, and entertainment across 30 breathtaking hectares. Known for its unique service philosophy, Okada Manila combines the warmth of Filipino hospitality with the precision of Japanese excellence, ensuring every guest feels truly special.

Guests can marvel at The Fountain, a world-renowned water choreography masterpiece, or dance the night away at Cove Manila, the world’s largest indoor beach club and nightclub, setting the standard for leisure and nightlife. The expansive gaming floor, the largest in the Philippines, features a wide array of table games and electronic gaming machines. Exclusive clubs like Perlas, Maharlika, and the VIP Club offer elite gaming experiences for discerning guests.

For families, PLAY and Thrillscape provide exciting and engaging entertainment options designed to cater to both developmental and recreational needs. The Sole Retreat and the Forbes 5-star-rated The Retreat Spa offer sanctuaries promoting wellness and relaxation. Culinary delights await at over 40 dining venues, and a variety of shopping options ensure convenience and luxury at your fingertips.

Guests can stay in one of 993 luxurious accommodations, each designed for comfort and sophistication. Digital innovations, including the Okada Online Casino and the Okada Manila App, make it easier than ever to enjoy the offerings.