• 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
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • iGaming
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Philippines lifting ban on new casinos: Pagcor boss

Aug 27, 2021 Newsdesk Latest News, Philippines, Top of the deck  


Philippines lifting ban on new casinos: Pagcor boss

The Philippines is lifting its declared January 2018 moratorium on new casinos, and will accept new casino licence applicants, said the head of the country’s gaming regulator, Andrea Domingo (pictured in a file photo), as cited on Friday by media outlets in that nation.

“The President [Rodrigo Duterte] issued the moratorium in 2018… now that he has lifted it, so we can once again receive applications for casino licences,” Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor) chairperson Ms Domingo was reported as saying by one of the outlets – CNN Philippines.

Ms Domingo clarified however that no further casinos would be permitted in the Entertainment City zone in Metro Manila, other than projects already in development. She added that Clark Freeport Zone, on the main island Luzon, had not been covered by the original ban on expansion of the sector.

The gaming regulator had in any case previously pushed for lifting of the moratorium.

The Philippines President mentioned in a public address on Thursday that he would encourage casino development on popular holiday island of Boracay, a shift from his previous declared stance against such projects there.

Local media reports cited Mr Duterte apologising his Thursday address for that policy reversal, and saying that allowing casino gambling could help the nation, as his government needed fresh sources of money.

In late June, Philippine media reported that the terms of reference in an approved bill for a planned Boracay Island Development Authority envisaged the possibility of gaming, amusement and recreational facilities operating on the holiday island.

GGRAsia has approached Macau casino operator Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd, asking for its comment on the lifting of the ban on casinos for Boracay.

The company had previously been announced as partner with Philippine group Leisure and Resorts World Corp, on a proposed scheme there.

In late 2019, Leisure and Resorts World said it was abandoning plans for a US$500-million casino investment on Boracay.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Philippines 1Q casino GGR up 15pct q-o-q to US$627mln
    Philippines 1Q casino GGR up 15pct...

    May 11, 2022  

  • Newly-elected president Marcos’ in-tray has gaming
    Newly-elected president Marcos’...

    May 10, 2022  

More news
  • Review saw no irregularity in Levo Chan link: Macau Legend
    Review saw no irregularity in Levo Chan...

    May 23, 2022  

  • Foreign tourists can get S.Korean peninsula visa from June 1
    Foreign tourists can get S.Korean...

    May 20, 2022  


Latest News

Review saw no irregularity in Levo Chan link: Macau Legend

Review saw no irregularity in Levo Chan link: Macau Legend

May 23, 2022  

Macau casino services firm Macau Legend Development Ltd says that a review conducted by an independent consultant “did not note any irregularity” in the dealings between the company and...
Read More
Foreign tourists can get S.Korean peninsula visa from June 1

Foreign tourists can get S.Korean peninsula visa from June

May 20, 2022  

Crown Resorts’ shareholders nod Blackstone bid

Crown Resorts’ shareholders nod Blackstone bid

May 20, 2022  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day

”We anticipate being live with iGaming products in two jurisdictions in the U.S. by the end of calendar year 2022"

Trevor Croker

Chief executive and managing director of Aristocrat Leisure



Most Popular

  • Foreign tourists can get S.Korean peninsula visa from June 1Foreign tourists can get S.Korean peninsula visa from June 1 May 20, 2022
  • Crown Resorts’ shareholders nod Blackstone bidCrown Resorts’ shareholders nod Blackstone bid May 20, 2022
  • Wynn CEO, Macau execs in base pay cut in return for sharesWynn CEO, Macau execs in base pay cut in return for shares May 17, 2022
  • Andrew Lo takes controlling stake in Suncity, Summit AscentAndrew Lo takes controlling stake in Suncity, Summit Ascent May 19, 2022
Copyright 2014-2022 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us