Okada Manila: Transformation of resort hospitality through tech
Jerry Chan, Senior Vice President of Electronic Gaming and Special Projects at Okada Manila, anchors a feature in issue 33 of SiGMA Magazine, unveiled at SiGMA Asia 2025 in Manila. The piece explores Chan’s dual focus: pioneering digital innovation while embedding ethical stewardship across Okada Manila’s operations, positioning the resort at the intersection of luxury hospitality and technological foresight.
Digital foresight in action
Chan’s journey, from IT roles at Wynn Macau and City of Dreams to Okada Manila—informs his philosophy: technology should serve guests invisibly. His early push for cashless gaming (2017) anticipated market shifts, resulting in OKash, a proprietary wallet enabling seamless transactions across the resort. “Younger demographics demanded efficiency without compromising security,” Chan notes. This system eliminated currency friction for international guests and unlocked real-time personalisation through data analytics.
The 2024 launch of okadaonlinecasino.com further blurred physical-digital boundaries. Rather than a standalone product, it integrates with the resort’s ecosystem, allowing players to transition effortlessly between platforms. Multi-currency gaming machines and dynamic LED displays heighten immersion, while analytics tailor experiences to individual preferences—proving that convenience and sophistication coexist.
Responsibility as a growth lever
Under Chan’s leadership, Okada Manila became the Philippines’ first integrated resort to earn Forbes’ VERIFIED Responsible Hospitality badge (2025). Initiatives like eliminating single-use plastics, installing EV stations, and boosting energy efficiency aren’t peripheral CSR—they’re woven into the guest journey. “Business success and social responsibility are inherently intertwined,” he emphasises.
This ethos extends beyond sustainability. The Okada Foundation’s nutrition program nourishes students in Pasay and Malabon, while partnerships with the Philippine Red Cross and food-share schemes in Laguna address community needs. For Chan, these aren’t charitable afterthoughts but core to operational integrity.
Anticipating the next wave
Chan views regulatory evolution as a catalyst. By building an agile digital infrastructure, Okada Manila not only complies with Asian market policies but sets higher standards. His team closely monitors generational shifts: younger players seek hybrid experiences, prompting experiments with esports-inspired competitive formats and socially integrated products.
Yet innovation never overshadows duty. Proactive risk monitoring, self-exclusion tools, and staff training ensure responsible gaming remains foundational. Chan’s leadership mantra, “knowing when to trust data, and when to trust your people”, balances technological ambition with human insight.
As Okada Manila redefines integrated entertainment, industry dialogue continues at the SiGMA Euro-Med summit in Malta (1–3 September), where technology and ethics converge.
