Anti-POGO Act of 2020 Goes Viral Amid Coronavirus Lockdown

poster for philippines coronavirus quarantine stating we heal as one

While Philippine POGOs have always been controversial since the Duterte administration approved and licensed them in 2016, that controversy has mostly been fueled by the Xi Jinping administration in China. Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators – or POGOs – are run by Chinese migrants living in the islands, and their online gambling services exclusively target mainland … Read more

PAGCOR Sale Proposed To Secure Funds To Fight COVID-19

PAGCOR Office With For Sale Sign In Front

Last Sunday, Philippines Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon suggested that the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) should be sold off to create revenue to combat the spread of the Coronavirus. The request from Drilon demonstrates how dire the COVID-19 situation is in the Philippines, as the entity ranks third behind revenue and customs on … Read more

PAGCOR Casinos To Remain Closed Until May Due To Coronavirus

pagcor casinos lockdown coronavirus philippines

Times are tough all over. What was supposed to be a month-long Manila shutdown has been extended to the end of April at the very least, and the quarantine could last longer still. Karlo Nograles, spokesperson for the country’s coronavirus task force, said that the request was made to the Rodrigo Duterte administration because the … Read more

Coronavirus Cost: PAGCOR losing Nearly US$120 Million Per Month

coronavirus cost 120 million usd per month pagcor

As the worldwide Wuhan coronavirus pandemic wreaks havoc on industry across the globe, the Philippines gambling market is experiencing significant losses. The most recent estimates suggest that PAGCOR – the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation – is losing US$118 million in revenue per month while most of its gambling businesses have been shut down. PAGCOR … Read more

Despite Casino Closures, PAGCOR Operators Aiding Coronavirus Response

manila lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic

Last week, it was announced that Metro Manila was to undergo a month-long quarantine to help fend off the impact of the Chinese coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world. Naturally, that also meant closing casinos in the National Capital Region (NCR), which is comprised of 16 major cities. Now, however, the brick-and-mortar gaming ban has been … Read more

POGOs Stay Open As Coronavirus Suspends PAGCOR Gambling

manila lockdown covid19

In an effort to help slow the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus inside the Philippines, PAGCOR – the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation – has ordered the immediate closure of all land-based casinos located within the National Capital Region (NCR), or Metropolitan Manila. These include standard PAGCOR venues, licensed casino resorts, brick-and-mortar sportsbooks, electronic gaming … Read more

Online Gambling The Best Prescription For Coronavirus In Philippines

philippines coronavirus online gambling

COVID-19, the flu-like virus taking the world by storm, has been documented in the Philippines, and it’s having a distinct impact on the region’s tourism income, among other markets. Interestingly, as one of the regions considered more at-risk for the Wuhan coronavirus’s impact, the Philippines has not used the current global crisis to widen its … Read more

This Week In Philippines Gambling: Coronavirus, Wakes, And The PBA

pba season to start amid coronavirus concerns

It’s been a busier time than usual in the Philippines gambling market. With fears of coronavirus continuing to spread, many Chinese gamblers are turning to POGOs, which is a boon for the islands’ gaming industry and tax coffers. However, locals are also more cautious to travel and mingle in traditional brick-and-mortar casinos within the Philippines, … Read more

Spread Of Coronavirus Could Spread Support For Online Gambling In Philippines, China

coronavirus online gambling

The Philippines has long stood by its insistence that the country’s POGO marketplace – aimed at Chinese players who cannot legally gamble online in their own nation – would remain in operation despite Beijing’s efforts to shutter the industry. However, the tide of public option on Chinese online gambling appears to be turning. Unfortunately, this … Read more