There is seemingly no end to the various “controversies” around the domestic Philippines gambling industry. Usually, the issues of import arise from the tenuous, Chinese-dominated POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) market, but the local casino markets have also been in the spotlight of late. First, many local politicians suggested that the state-run casinos in the … Read more 4m4h26
2019 has been an adventurous – if not tumultuous year – for the Philippine gambling industry. Between onishments from neighboring China and the influx of migrants to President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown on tax-evading Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and the local government’s questioning of the state-owned brick-and-mortar casino model, the market – while profitable – … Read more
For the domestic gambling industry, it’s been an interesting couple of weeks in the Philippines. There are three major stories of note concerning the gaming landscape in the island nation, with some good news and some bad news. The Good Starting off with the good news, PAGCOR – the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation – … Read more
Seemingly week to week, the gambling situation in the Philippines appears to change. Indeed, the politics of POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) and local gaming venues have lately been the biggest roller coaster in the country. For many of the parties involved, of course, the current landscape has been far from an amusement park. After … Read more
The current state of gambling in the Philippines – in all its guises – continues to be problematic, according to various interested parties in government and the private sector. In the midst of an ongoing row with China over Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), the island nation also has the matter of industry compliance to … Read more
Despite ongoing disagreements with Beijing and a local enforcement initiative against tax-dodging Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), the Philippines seem to be moving full speed ahead in embracing the burgeoning online gambling industry. From December 3-4, Manila will be hosting the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia. The scheduled venue for the convention is the Manila … Read more
Two weeks ago, China formally requested that the Philippine government put an end to the country’s online gambling industry. However, without tying the request to meaningful economic incentives of any kind, Beijing’s offer wasn’t exactly one that Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte couldn’t refuse. So he refused it. On Wednesday, Duterte explained to the media – … Read more
In the Philippines, online casinos are legally authorized, but their services are targeted almost exclusively at the offshore Chinese market. Now, China is asking the Philippine government to put a stop to the profitable industry. Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, or POGOs, were launched in 2016 under the umbrella of PAGCOR, the Philippine Amusement and … Read more
On Wednesday August 7th, the Chinese Embassy in Manila released a statement concerning online gambling in mainland China. The statement read: “Any form of gambling by Chinese citizens, including online gambling, gambling overseas, and opening casinos overseas to attract citizens of China as primary customers, is illegal.” This statement was citing Chinese law regarding online … Read more
After Vice Mayor of Quezon City attempted to restrict casino gaming, gambling regulator PAGCOR stepped in. Vice Mayor of Quezon City Joy Belmonte attempted to enact an ordinance which would charge residents a fee of PHP1,500 to enter a soon to be built casino within the city, as well as, fees for online gaming. However, … Read more