Philippine Inland Gaming Operators (PIGOs) continue to expand, with the nation’s gaming regulator indicating there were some 44 service providers authorized as of early June.
While the recent focus has been on offshore gaming, largely due to backlash over illegal POGO operations (now known as IGLs – Internet gaming licensees), the state gaming regulator has also approved 10 ‘authorized online/remote gaming platforms’ operated by major integrated resort and hotel casino operators.
These online casino platforms are run by companies such as Bloomberry Resorts and Hotels, Travellers International Hotel Group, Stotsenberg Leisure Park and Hotel, Thunderbird Pilipinas Hotels & Resorts, and Eastbay Resorts, offering a range of live dealer games, slots, and virtual games to Filipino customers in the country.
Other authorized online gaming operators include Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment, MJC Investments Corp, Hann Philippines, and BB International Leisure and Resort Development.
The lone non-casino operator on the list is bingo hall chain Bingo Plus, operated by AB Leisure Exponent and owned by listed gaming firm Digiplus Corp.
These 10 companies are allowed to operate online and remote gaming platforms, taking advantage of their physical premises to offer everything from Live Baccarat, Roulette, Slots, ETGs, Virtual Dealer games, to Live Gaming Tables and Bingo.
Separately, some 34 service providers have been authorized to provide eCasino Games, Sports Betting, eBingo and Specialty Games by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), as of June 5th. These include operations such as Jade Entertainment and Gaming Technologies, PhilWeb Corp and TGXI. Such operators must still have a physical space in which to operate and cannot be purely online.
PAGCOR’s Electronic Gaming Licensing Department noted that 13 of the 34 licensed gaming system service providers have yet to commence commercial operations.
The expansion of PAGCOR’s online gambling licensing beyond the controversial POGO sector continues its open stance towards domestic online play, with PIGO licenses being introduced in late 2020, sparking a sharp increase in competition as operators moved into the space.
PAGCOR’s Chairman, Alejandro H. Tengco, has highlighted the importance of the eGames sector for revenue growth, introducing tax reductions which have resulted in an increase in operators into the space. Rates currently at 35 percent for the online sector are set to be further reduced to 30 percent by January 1st, 2025. Land-based operators with an online component pay some 25 percent.
