Philippine land-based casino operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp is rolling out via its online platform, “megaFUNalo!”, live studio-based games featuring transparent gaming tables and floor-to-ceiling LED backdrops.
Cyrus Sherafat, megaFUNalo executive vice president and head of gaming, was cited as saying in a prepared statement: “Our glass-table environment and integrated studio are designed specifically to elevate user trust and deliver an immersive experience that hasn’t been seen in this market before.”
He added the group was building via megaFUNalo – an online platform authorised by the country’s gaming regulator, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor) – “the blueprint for the future of live studio gaming in the Philippines”.
The new megaFUNalo live studio suite is said to include the games “Classic Roulette”, “Transparent Baccarat”, and “Dragon Tiger”.
According to the InsiderPH news outlet, “the glass-table setup is designed to give players a clear view of dealer movements and game mechanics while a high-definition feed creates a three-dimensional visual effect for mobile users”.
Mr Sherafat was quoted as saying in the group’s update: “By merging cutting-edge studio technology with real-time hosting, we aren’t just launching a product: we’re establishing a new standard for transparency.”
Mr Sherafat is also executive vice president and head of gaming at Solaire Resort & Casino, Bloomberry’s flagship complex in Manila.
Philippines-listed Bloomberry Resorts had said in its full-year results, that the group’s full-year earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) had fallen by circa 39 percent year-on-year, to PHP10.17 billion (US$172.7 million).
EBITDA had been “impacted by PHP723.9-million of megaFUNalo operating expenses”. The online gaming platform had a soft launch in June last year.
In November, in commentary on the parent’s third-quarter results, Enrique Razon, chairman and chief executive of Bloomberry Resorts, had said: “The ramp-up of the megaFUNalo online gaming platform is progressing, although at a slower pace than anticipated, despite regulatory uncertainties.”
The latter was a reference to market-wide political debate in the Philippines about the online sector.
In January, megaFUNalo introduced some Philippines-made arcade-style games.
