Award-Winning PokerStars Okada Manila is "a True All-In-One Destination"
Last month, PokerStars LIVE at Okada Manila won the coveted "Best Poker Room in an Integrated Resort" at the annual Inside Asian Gaming Academy IR Awards (IAG) Awards. It marked the second consecutive year that the luxurious poker room captured the award.
The state-of-the-art venue, which provides around-the-clock cash games and some of the richest poker tournaments in Asian, such as the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT), bested the likes of the MGM COTAI Poker Room, Newport World Resorts, and The Venetian Macao Poker Room. It is not a coincidence that PokerStars LIVE at Okada Manila won back-to-back awards; it is a result of years of hard work and dedication by everyone involved, which enables it to offer an unparalleled service to players.
"PokerStars at Okada Manila stands out because it offers far more than just a poker room—it’s a true all-in-one destination," Lorie Torre, Senior Manager of PokerStars Live Asia, exclusively told PokerNews. "Its unique setting, very different from a traditional poker room, allows us to create a distinct atmosphere for every event."
"The venue provides a large creative canvas to shape the look, feel, and energy of each festival. Most importantly, it’s the people. The collaborative teamwork between PokerStars and Okada, aligned with the same goal, ensures events run seamlessly. The team is consistently warm, professional, and attentive, delivering top-tier service across the property. This combination of venue, atmosphere, and people is what sets Okada Manila apart, which is why it has been awarded Best Poker Room in Asia two years in a row."
Winning awards is always welcome, but they mean a lot more than a glitzy party and the celebrations that follow. Torre explained to PokerNews the importance of this recognition to PokerStars at a time when Asia continues to grow into a global poker hub.
"This recognition is highly meaningful for us, particularly at a time when Asia Pacific continues to emerge as one of the most dynamic and competitive live poker markets globally. Being acknowledged alongside other outstanding poker rooms in the region reinforces the strength of what we are building and further strengthens player trust in the PokerStars live experience."
"At the same time, we see this recognition as both validation and responsibility. It is a shared achievement across our partners and teams, and it challenges us to keep raising the bar. Asia never stands still, and neither can we. This recognition reminds us to continually innovate, introduce fresh ideas, and ensure that every event delivers a memorable and best-in-class experience."
The award highlights PokerStars' commitment to delivering world-class poker experiences through strong local partnerships. The collaboration with Okada Manila has been a key component of elevating the player experience of the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT), as Torre explained.
"Okada Manila has been an exceptional partner for the Asia Pacific Poker Tour and has played a key role in elevating the overall player experience. From the players’ perspective, it offers a truly integrated destination: a world-class poker venue, premium accommodations just steps from the action, and a diverse range of dining and leisure options all under one roof. We consistently receive outstanding feedback from players, many of whom describe it as one of—if not the—most beautiful poker rooms they have ever played in."
"That kind of feedback is incredibly important, as it reflects the lasting impression our events leave on players. Equally important is the strong operational collaboration behind the scenes. The seamless coordination across teams—particularly table games, hospitality, security, and culinary—allows us to deliver events smoothly and consistently at a very high standard. This collective effort is a major reason we are able to meet, and often exceed, the expectations players have of a PokerStars live event."
Just because PokerStars has enjoyed continued success in Europe with the European Poker Tour (EPT) doesn't mean that success was guaranteed in Asia. Players from different regions have differing expectations, from tournament structures to technology and customer service. How does PokerStars ensure its players' expectations are consistently met in a realm where the customer base is becoming increasingly global?
"Today’s live poker audience in Asia is truly global, and player expectations are higher than ever. Players value a world-class experience built on game integrity, fairness, professionalism, and high-quality event management—while still keeping the game fun and engaging."
"PokerStars meets these expectations by delivering strong tournament structures, clear and consistent rules, and strict security and media protocols to ensure a fair and well-run environment. At venues like Okada Manila, advanced security systems, comprehensive CCTV coverage, and a highly trained floor and security team help safeguard gameplay and tournament operations. Beyond the tables, we take a holistic approach."
"Consistent staff training, excellent customer service, premium amenities, and curated entertainment all shape the overall experience. Players don’t just come to compete—they come for the full journey. Our goal is to make every PokerStars event in Asia memorable and worth returning to."
The APPT has long been a cornerstone of PokerStars' live calendar. Like most poker tours, it has evolved in recent years, primarily due to the tour's increased global reach. What lessons has PokerStars learned that have contributed to winning this latest accolade?
"The APPT has evolved significantly in recent years, reflecting both the changing expectations of players and the continued growth of live poker in Asia. We’ve refined tournament structures, strengthened operational consistency, enhanced player communications, and invested across all aspects of event delivery—from staffing and technology to security and customer service."
"A key lesson from this evolution has been the importance of listening closely to player feedback and working with strong local partners to deliver a seamless, end-to-end experience. This approach has helped establish Okada Manila as a benchmark venue and contributed to being recognized as a two-time awardee for Best Poker Room in an Integrated Resort, delivering world-class and truly unique poker events. That recognition reinforces our player-first philosophy and reflects our ongoing commitment to raising standards across the industry."
Although PokerStars is yet to finalize the schedule for the 2026 APPT, Torre was kind enough to give PokerNews readers a glimpse of what players can expect.
"Innovation has always been at the core of PokerStars, and that philosophy continues to guide the APPT. Looking ahead to 2026, our ambition is to further grow the tour across the Asia-Pacific region and ensure the APPT truly lives up to its name by delivering one of the best live poker experiences globally."
"Players can expect enhanced flagship stops, improved schedules, and refined tournament structures designed to appeal to a wide range of bankrolls and playing styles. We’re also focused on creating more accessible pathways into the tour through qualifiers and packages linked to earlier events, allowing more players to be part of the APPT journey. Our aim is to keep the tour exciting, inclusive, and consistently rewarding—while staying at the forefront of live poker in Asia."
PokerNews congratulates everyone connected to the PokerStars Live at Okada Manila for receiving back-to-back awards. Stay tuned to PokerNews throughout 2026 for all the APPT news, schedules, and results, and to see if PokerStars can complete an unprecedented three-peat of Best Poker Room titles.
