PAGCOR Expects Gaming Revenue to Double Even as POGOs Lose Ground

Posted on: April 28, 2022, 05:45h. 

Last updated on: April 29, 2022, 01:41h.

Erik Gibbs Read More

Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Gaming Business, Global Gaming.

The Philippines is finally beginning to recover from COVID-19. As it lifts more health restrictions, the country’s gaming regulator is confident that a dramatic shift in casino and gaming revenue is coming quickly.

The Philippines has begun the task of recreating stability in its economy following its lengthy battle with COVID-19. It is beginning to welcome back international travelers as more businesses shed the restrictions that kept them from operating normally. This will likely provide welcome relief to all businesses, especially casinos and other gaming facilities.

PAGCOR (Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corporation), the country’s gaming regulator/casino operator, is optimistic about what comes next. Its boss, chairwoman and CEO Andrea Domingo, expects gaming revenue in the Philippines to double this year. That’s good news for the gaming operators and the country.

Building on this, she predicts a GGR of around PHP60 billion to PHP65 billion (US$1.15 billion to US$1.24 billion) by the end of the year. This is “almost twice as much as last year.”

Philippine Gaming Revenue on the Rise

Casinos in the Philippines were operating at 50% capacity only until last month. Despite prolonged issues with shutdowns, social distancing, and capacity limitations, gaming revenue began to rise last year.

A couple of weeks ago, PAGCOR gave the government $120 million, its share of net earnings for 2021. The entity is required by law to give half its revenue to the state.

Non-PAGCOR casinos are doing better as well. They reported a GGR of $638.9 million for the fourth quarter of last year, marking a year-on-year increase of 8.8%. That was also a quarterly increase of 46.5%.

COVID-19 Shrunk Philippine Gaming Market

COVID-19 took its toll on the Philippine economy. The Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) segment saw a considerable reduction in its numbers. During the pandemic, according to PAGCOR, 22 POGOs lost their licenses.

For over two months last year, gaming ceased in the Philippines. This made it difficult for some companies to stay afloat. Where once, in 2019, there were 63 POGOs, there are now only 26. However, not all of the closures were because of attrition.

As a result of the exit, POGO GGR fell considerably. In 2020, the market was responsible for a revenue of PHP5.28 billion (US$101 million). Last year that fell to PHP3.47 billion (US$67 million). PAGCOR expects a further drop to as low as PHP1.67 billion (US$32 million) this year.

PAGCOR Needs to Address Sabong Market

During yesterday’s media gathering, the subject of sabong and e-sabong came up. The cockfighting market is plagued with issues, and lawmakers want action. Senator Panfilo Lacson wants PAGCOR to be more proactive in regulating the gambling aspect of the activity.

However, according to Domingo, there should be an independent regulator for e-sabong. This would allow PAGCOR to focus on casinos and not lose momentum.

Lacson isn’t convinced that this is the best solution, asserting that adding a new regulator to the gaming space is counterproductive. It doesn’t meet the country’s goal of streamlining its operations.

Sabong and its betting component aren’t likely to go away anytime soon. President Rodrigo Duterte has already asserted his support for the activity due to its revenue.