Hann Casino Resort, a complex at Clark Freeport Zone in the Philippines, and gaming technology provider PhilWeb Corp announced on Thursday a “strategic partnership” for the “operation and management” of Hann Casino’s online gaming platform in the Philippines.
Under the arrangement, PhilWeb “will provide operational and technical support” for Hann Casino’s platform, “drawing on its experience and established track record in the Philippine gaming industry,” said PhilWeb in a filing to the Philippine Stock Exchange.
The partnership is “intended to support the platform’s compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and to enhance operational efficiency and system performance,” added the update.
Hann Casino Resort (pictured), a two-hour drive from the Philippine capital, is run by Hann Philippines Inc. Aside from a licence to offer live table and slot games, the firm also has a permit to promote eCasino games.
In its own statement included in Thursday’s announcement, the casino resort said the collaboration with PhilWeb aims to expand Hann Casino’s online gaming presence in the Philippines.
“This partnership reflects both parties’ shared commitment to delivering a secure, compliant, and high-quality digital gaming experience aligned with regulatory requirements,” noted Hann Philippines.
It added: “Hann Casino remains fully committed to responsible gaming, strong governance, and regulatory compliance, while PhilWeb’s operational and technical capabilities will enhance platform performance, player experience, and overall operational efficiency.”
PhilWeb, which is seeing its majority stake changing hands, recorded an 8.9-percent gain in its stock on Thursday, with the value reaching PHP7.08 (US$0.11) per share at the closing of trading, an eight-year high.
As per PhilWeb’s filing, Hann Casino “will continue to oversee its regulated online gaming business and remains responsible for ensuring adherence to responsible gaming standards, governance policies, and regulatory obligations”.
“PhilWeb’s involvement is expected to complement these objectives through its technical and operational capabilities,” added the Philippines-listed firm.
As of Thursday, the Hann Live Online platform had a notice saying it would “undergo an upgrade until further notice,” in order to “enhance” the experience offered to players.
“During this period, access to games and services will be temporarily unavailable,” it stated.
Hann Philippines said “both parties view this partnership as a long-term collaboration aimed at sustainable growth, innovation, and the continued development of regulated online gaming offerings in the Philippines”.
Hann Casino Resort opened in mid-December a new area within its gaming venue, dubbed “The Canyon”. The new area was described as a 12,208.20-square-metre (131,408-sq.-feet) extension of the complex’s main casino floor.
The complex now offers a total of 1,721 slot machines, 274 table games, and 72 electronic games.
Daesik Han, chairman and chief executive of Hann Philippines, said in an interview with GGRAsia in mid-March last year, that the company had chosen to overhaul its online offering.
Mr Han stated in that interview: “We’ve launched our online business last year, but we failed … as the approach was really kind of from land based, a very conventional approach.”
He added: “We are somehow reshuffling the team, and we’re trying to have collaboration with different companies.”
