PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco has outlined a massive overhaul of the Philippines’ regulatory environment, including the introduction of regulated online poker and enhanced slot machine standards, as part of a push to make the Philippines Asia’s gaming destination of choice.
The Keynote Speaker at Thursday’s G2E Asia Conference in Macau, Tengco said he was keen to further expand the regulator’s scope, despite PAGCOR already issuing licenses for everything from brick-and-mortar casinos to traditional bingo, eBingo, eCasino games, sports betting and eBilliards, among others.
Having launched the POGO industry in 2016 and the domestic PIGO industry during COVID, Tengco said PAGCOR’s next priority was ensuring its regulatory models were up to date while exploring new opportunities in both the land-based and online space.
“For this year and beyond, PAGCOR intends to bring regulatory frameworks for online poker operations, enhance slot machine operations, upgrade gaming equipment and create and upgrade [existing] regulatory frameworks,” he said.
“We have already accomplished projects like updating the suppliers’ regulatory manual, implementing rules and guidelines for foundations, and crafting gaming employment license regulations and prohibitions on enter, stay and play procedures.
“Amendments to PAGCOR’s regulatory frameworks for domestic online gaming have also been introduced. We are currently studying the possibility of regulating other facets of the overseas gaming operations, or the possible regulation of a special class of business process outsourcing. popularly known as BPOs.”
Noting that PAGCOR also needed to discourage noncompliance and involvement in any irregular activity, Tengco said he was committed to implementing comprehensive regulatory controls that are “more responsive to the needs of the changing times” while addressing “the social ills that come with gaming operations”.
“I know much still needs to be done,” he said. “However, I firmly believe that we are on the right track towards making the Philippines a prime gaming destination in the ASEAN region.”
RelatedPosts
