BUOYED by the revitalization of the local gaming industry, the Philippine
Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is eyeing to implement measures
that will further boost market growth, provide a more convenient gaming experience
to guests, and encourage healthy competition.
opportunity with (from left) SiGMA founder Eman Pulis, SiGMA Foundation founder
Keith Marshall and SIGMA’s Managing Director Neil Shih.
In his keynote address during the opening ceremony of the SiGMA Asia Summit
2023 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on July 20, 2023, PAGCOR
Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco proudly announced that the agency intends
to launch its own online gaming operations, dubbed as "casinofilipino.com” by the
first quarter of 2024.
Tengco explained that the online Casino Filipino aims to employ virtual reality-based
technology that can simulate the sights and sounds of a physical casino, thereby
offering a realistic and immersive gaming experience.
“It will allow players to interact with the digital counterparts of traditional casino
games. It will also transcend physical boundaries and will enable users from around
the world to interact and participate in virtual environments. It can reach a global
audience and can establish a presence in virtual communities of avid gamers. It will
likewise offer an opportunity to tap into new markets and diversify its customer
base,” he said.
SiGMA on behalf of Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco, who was honored for his
outstanding contribution to gaming during the SIGMA Awards held on July 19, 2023
in Conrad Manila in Pasay City.
The PAGCOR chief added that the online Casino Filipino will “bring several benefits
and opportunities such as increased revenue, extended reach and market
expansion, cost efficiency, and enhanced customer engagement.”
Aside from the launch of the new gaming offering, Tengco underscored the
importance of modernizing PAGCOR’s slot machine operations to help sustain
growth momentum.
“We have already taken the preliminary steps and entered into negotiations with
different manufacturers for the modernization of our slot machines. We expect our
customers to have a renewed gaming experience as we endeavor to enhance our
game offerings by replacing our old machines with a total of 3,500 brand-new units
of Electronic Gaming Machines under a lease agreement between PAGCOR and the
manufacturer,” he noted.
The modernization plan also includes the development of the state-run gaming and
regulatory firm’s Information Technology (IT) programs and systems to help finetune
PAGCOR’s Casino Management System.
5F New Coast Hotel Manila • 1588 M. H. Del Pilar cor Pedro Gil Streets., Malate, Manila, 1004 Philippines (632) 8242-0121 • Website: www.pagcor.ph
keynote speech at the opening ceremonies of the SiGMA Asia Summit 2023 in
Pasay City.
“This will play a pivotal role in improving PAGCOR’s casinos in terms of operational
efficiency, enhancing customer experience, facilitating real-time reporting and
analytics, ensuring security and fraud prevention, optimizing financial management
and streamlining compliance requirements,” Tengco explained.
Meanwhile, the PAGCOR chief also proudly announced the state-run gaming and
regulatory firm’s revenue achievements in the first half of 2023.
“For the first half of this year, I am proud to share with you the figures we have
generated so far. Our total income from gaming operations from January to June of
2023 has reached P34.125 billion. Of this amount, PAGCOR’s contributions to nation
building also rose by 48.50% — from P15.23 billion in the first half of 2022 to P22.62
billion this year,” he said.
which was exhibited at the SiGMA Asia Summit 2023 in Pasay City.
Tengco said that with the agency’s consistent upward revenue trend, it is highly
possible for PAGCOR to reach or even surpass its pre-pandemic income by the end
of 2023.
“For the second half of this year, our total income from gaming operations is
projected to be P37 billion, which brings to a total of P71 billion the projected income
from gaming operations by the end of 2023. This is 94% compared to the 2019
record-breaking year of PAGCOR. If realized, it will be 30% higher than last year’s
income of P55 billion,” Tengco furthered.
Meanwhile, Tengco received an award from SIGMA Asia for his Outstanding
Contribution to Gaming during the SIGMA Awards held on July 19, 2023 in Conrad
Manila in Pasay City. PAGCOR President and COO Atty. Juanito Sañosa, Jr.
received the award on behalf of CEO Tengco.
For more information about the four-day SiGMA Asia event, which will run until July
22, 2023, please visit https://sigma.world/.
