It is heartwarming to note that the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor) is cracking the whip on illegal gambling even as it primes itself for gaming regulatory reforms that are seen to deliver ever higher dividends to the government coffers that saw its contributions rise from P22.91 billion in 2021 to P34.67 billion in 2022.
For Pagcor Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco, the reforms that are envisioned for the gaming agency include that of privatizing its own casinos to take out the conflict from its being a regulator and a casino owner. That means Tengco is embracing transparency and good governance while addressing the social ills that come with gaming operations.
The twin thrusts of the gaming agency were discussed by Tengco in a keynote address at the G2E Asian IR Summit in Macau last week where he unveiled a grandiose plan to make the Philippines a leading gaming destination in the ASEAN region. That will mean an uptick in tourists especially with the rise of integrated gaming resorts that cater to families.
Foreign gaming firms are expected to bid for the casinos that Pagcor owned under the brand Casino Filipino and by ensuring that it divests itself of its own casinos, the gaming agency will be able to concentrate fully on its regulatory functions. For Tengco, this is the right track as he moves to hurdle ever new challenges from the illegal gambling sites that have tainted the agency.
“By focusing on its regulatory functions, PAGCOR will be able to avoid the complexities of running two different shows. It can also streamline its processes and create more revenues that will fund more high impact government projects,” Tengco told the delegates to the Macau event where new ways of gaming avenues were discussed.
Tengco said that before the privatization aspect is rolled out Pagcor will upgrade its own casinos to add value to the properties. Programs include the modernization of Information and Communication Technology and Cybersecurity infrastructure, including its Casino Management System and introduction of the Casino Filipino Online; upgrading of more than 3,000 electronic gaming machines (EGMs); and the updating of PAGCOR Technical Standards for EGMs.
To combat the proliferation of illegal gambling in the country, PAGCOR continuously coordinates with various law enforcement agencies. It has instituted reforms to address the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations which have been recently associated with crime, money laundering and corruption.
It has canceled the contract entered by the previous Board with the third-party auditor for offshore gaming operations and has introduced new fees and imposed heavy fines and penalties to Licensees and Service Providers found to be engaged in criminal activities. Furthermore, accreditations were suspended and canceled and Licensees were held responsible for the conduct of their Service Providers.
Thus, since its assumption a year ago, the new PAGCOR Board of Directors has started strengthening the agency’s regulatory function and has promoted the privatization of PAGCOR-run Casino Filipino facilities. Such move will allow the corporation to grow and compete in both domestic and international markets through the infusion of new capital and advanced technologies which can facilitate expansions, upgrades and innovations.
Tengco vowed that Pagcor “ shall undertake the painstaking process to weed out the unscrupulous companies and individuals using the PAGCOR license for illegal activities, tainting the name of the whole industry and most especially the Philippines.” Aside from this, the gaming agency is also looking at other options in regulating other facets of its overseas gaming operations that include having a special class of Business Process Outsourcing.
That means new jobs will be created. Tengco’s vision for a new Pagcor shows his new focus for the health system of the country. During its 40th anniversary , he unveiled the construction of regional specialized hospitals in Clark, Pampanga is in support of the present administration’s thrust to provide more specialty hospitals in provinces and highly urbanized cities.
“ It will consist, among others, of a heart center, kidney center, cancer center, and a children’s hospital. This project is intended to alleviate the plight of our fellow Filipinos by bringing quality healthcare closer to people living outside Metro Manila,” he added.
For Tengco Pagcor has to continually evolve. “I know much still needs to be done, but I believe that we are on the right track towards making the Philippines a prime gaming destination in the ASEAN region,” he said.
LITO GAGNI