• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Features
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Pagcor nods ‘partial’ return of POGOs for income lift

May 02, 2020 Newsdesk Latest News, Philippines, Top of the deck  


Pagcor nods ‘partial’ return of POGOs for income lift

The Philippine gaming regulator has authorised a “partial resumption” of business at locally-based online gaming operators serving overseas customers, according to a press release. The announcement did not give a timetable for such partial return of operations.

But the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor) said the resumption for the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) was being permitted under “stringent conditions” and aimed to help the national government “raise necessary funds to combat the novel coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic”.

On April 24 it had been announced that Metro Manila – including the country’s large-scale casino resorts in Entertainment City – would remain under an extended strict lockdown in relation to the public health alert, until May 15.

As of 4pm on Friday, the country had recorded 8,772 confirmed cases of Covid-19, and 579 deaths from the disease.

Suspension of operations at bricks and mortar casino operations, and soon after, those of POGOs, had been in place – initially on the main island of Luzon – since mid-March.

Prior to the end of March, Andrea Domingo, chairman and chief executive of Pagcor, had been cited by the BusinessWorld news outlet as calling for reinstatement of three “high-earning” gaming operations – including VIP play – to raise more funds for the government’s efforts against the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a March 30 press release, Pagcor said it was losing up to PHP6 billion (US$118.6 million) per month due to gaming business suspension linked to the “enhanced community quarantine” imposed by the country’s government.

On Friday, several local news outlets cited comments by Ms Domingo that suspension of POGO operations had deprived the regulatory agency of as much as PHP600 million in monthly revenue.

Pagcor’s press release that day said revenues annually from POGOs had grown from PHP73.72 million in 2016 to PHP3.12 billion in 2017. That expanded to PHP6.11 billion in 2018; and stood at PHP5.73 billion in 2019.

“In the first quarter of 2020, POGOs already contributed PHP1.80 billion in regulatory fees alone,” stated Pagcor.

The agency said that prior to resumption of operations, POGOs and their service providers would need to: settle any tax liabilities certified by the country’s Bureau of Internal Revenue; settle any regulatory fees, licence fees, performance bonds or penalties due to Pagcor; remit regulatory fees due for April; and comply with safety protocols.

The safety measures included: only 30 percent of the usual workforce being permitted per shift in authorised operating sites; provision of shuttle services for employees from home to workplace; staff body-temperature checks upon arrival at the office; and the practising of social distancing, proper sanitation and disinfection, and wearing of a mask “at all times,” by each worker.

Employees with confirmed Covid-19 infection – as well as anyone suspected of having the illness – will not be allowed to work.

Pagcor added that “vulnerable groups”, including “the sick, [the] immunocompromised, seniors, pregnant women, and those with co-morbidities will not be deployed”.

Ms Domingo was cited in the announcement as saying: “Even with the partial resumption of POGO operations, we will put premium on the safety of their employees, and the gaming industry as a whole.”

The document said 31,556 Filipinos were “directly hired” by the POGO sector.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • CNY 2021 unlikely to boost Macau casinos, say observers
    CNY 2021 unlikely to boost Macau...

    Jan 15, 2021  

  • G2E Asia 2021 delayed to August from May, amid pandemic
    G2E Asia 2021 delayed to August from...

    Jan 14, 2021  

More news
  • Mass market play record 65pct Macau GGR in 4Q: govt
    Mass market play record 65pct Macau GGR...

    Jan 15, 2021  

  • Malaysia Covid outlook negative to Genting Bhd: Moody’s
    Malaysia Covid outlook negative to...

    Jan 15, 2021  


Latest News

CNY 2021 unlikely to boost Macau casinos, say observers

CNY 2021 unlikely to boost Macau casinos, say observers

Jan 15, 2021  

Recent advisory notices issued by a number of local authorities in mainland China, calling on residents not to travel during the February Chinese New Year (CNY) break, further clouds the prospects...
Read More
Mass market play record 65pct Macau GGR in 4Q: govt

Mass market play record 65pct Macau GGR in 4Q: govt

Jan 15, 2021  

Malaysia Covid outlook negative to Genting Bhd: Moody’s

Malaysia Covid outlook negative to Genting Bhd: Moody’s

Jan 15, 2021  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Partners

Pick of the Day

“We expect Las Vegas Sands to not have any material change in strategy. The focus remains developing Macau and Singapore”

Vitaly Umansky, Kelsey Zhu and Tianjiao Yu

Analysts at brokerage Sanford C. Bernstein



Most Popular

  • Sheldon Adelson, self-declared casino industry iconoclastSheldon Adelson, self-declared casino industry iconoclast January 13, 2021
  • Quality fake chips sold online found at Macau casinoQuality fake chips sold online found at Macau casino January 13, 2021
  • Casino entrepreneur Sheldon Adelson dies aged 87Casino entrepreneur Sheldon Adelson dies aged 87 January 12, 2021
  • Police find US$11m of missed Landing cash, suspects soughtPolice find US$11m of missed Landing cash, suspects sought January 14, 2021
  • Still Asia focus for LVS post chairman death: BernsteinStill Asia focus for LVS post chairman death: Bernstein January 14, 2021
Copyright 2014-2020 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us