Local Industry Insider Submission:
Many casino employees do not understand the relationship between PAGCOR and POGO. Here's an explanation and some personal insights.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is a government-owned and operated corporation in the Philippines, primarily responsible for managing and regulating the country's gambling and entertainment industry. It was established in 1977 and is one of the major sources of revenue for the Philippine government.
Main Functions of PAGCOR
1. Casino Operations
• PAGCOR directly owns and operates some casinos in the Philippines (known as the Casino Filipino series), providing various legal gambling services, such as slot machines, table games, etc.
2. Gambling Regulation
• PAGCOR is responsible for issuing licenses and regulating all casinos and gambling institutions within the Philippines, including online gambling operators (such as the PAGCOR-authorized Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO)), which are well-known to the Chinese community in the Philippines, such as AG, Yabo, and Oriental.
• Ensures operators are legal and compliant, preventing illegal gambling activities.
3. Revenue Contribution
• PAGCOR is one of the important financial sources for the Philippine government. A portion of its revenue is used to fund public infrastructure, education, health projects, and disaster relief efforts.
4. Promoting Entertainment and Tourism
• PAGCOR promotes the growth of the tourism and entertainment industry in the Philippines by promoting the development of casinos and integrated resorts (such as City of Dreams, Okada, Solaire in Manila).
PAGCOR serves both as a casino operator and a gambling regulator, a dual role that has sparked some controversy but also plays a significant role in promoting industry development.
Will POGO be reinstated after President Marcos Jr. announced its closure?
The answer here is that it is highly unlikely during his presidency, and there is no need to harbor any illusions. A president will not easily overturn his own decisions unless there is significant controversy and massive public protests against his ban, but the opposite is true, as the vast majority of the Filipino public also supports it.
In summary, for the Philippines as a whole, the impact of this ban on the Filipino public is not extensive, affecting mostly foreign businessmen and Filipino-Chinese in a few cities in the capital region.
The Philippine government's revenue relies on the gambling business, but not just online gambling. It can be said that the Philippine government is also a sure-win dealer.
The reasons for POGO's shift from legal operation to regulatory failure are not analyzed here. President Marcos Jr. must have deliberated deeply before deciding to close POGO, weighing its pros and cons. In the long run, this ban is more beneficial than detrimental to the Philippines.
