Japanese gaming supplier and Okada Manila owner is looking to expand internationally and enter Nevada’s gambling market 

Tokyo-listed Universal Entertainment Corporation (UEC) is establishing a new international subsidiary to serve as a third pillar to its existing businesses.

UDN Gaming has been formed to develop, manufacture and sell gaming equipment overseas, including slot machines.

UEC will provide the new business with loans through a credit facility, and grant licenses for the use of intellectual property rights related to gaming equipment held by UEC, alongside various forms of support, including development support.

“The UEC Group conducts its business primarily through the Amusement Equipments business and the Integrated Resort (IR) business,” said the company. “However, amid changes in the business environment surrounding its existing businesses, including the downward trend in the domestic amusement equipment market and intensifying competition in the Integrated Resort (IR) Business in the Philippines, UEC recognizes that it is important to promptly establish a new revenue base in order to achieve sustainable growth.”

“In the United States, which has a large market scale, and particularly in the state of Nevada, gaming license reviews are among the most stringent in the world. If UEC applies directly, suitability reviews of major shareholders, directors, key employees, and other relevant persons are expected to require a considerable amount of time.”

In light of this regulatory environment, during the business launch phase, UEC has decided to first use UDN, a corporation newly established in Nevada by UEC representative director and president, Tomohiro Okada, to apply for gaming licenses and to advance the business in stages, while UEC also intends to apply for licenses in due course.

In the company’s most recent financial results, UEC reported a 23 per cent increase in net sales to ¥76.57 billion (approx. €418.2 million) for the first half of 2026. Net sales from the company’s core Amusement Equipments segment grew by 69 per cent to ¥45.93 billion, while sales in the Integrated Resort business fell by 13 per cent to ¥30.13 billion.

Shares in Universal Entertainment Corp. (TYO:6425) gained 1.78 per cent to ¥742.00 in Tokyo earlier Tuesday.