Disguised as an official memo from Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the memo ordered local government units in Metro Manila to immediately terminate the operations of POGOs “within the first week of August”.

The memo read: “President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered all local government units in Metro Manila to terminate all POGO and IGL operations as soon as possible. All local government operations are required to end these activities within the first week of August 2024.”

This message has been confirmed as fake with POGOs not to be terminated until the end of the year. 

Atty. Jessa Mariz Fernandez, Head of PAGCOR’s Offshore Gaming Licensing Department, revealed that the doctored memo was taken from a real memo that she issued on July 23. 

She said: “We have not issued a memorandum ordering LGUs to immediately close down POGO operations in their jurisdiction because the President’s order is very clear: We have until the end of the year to wind down POGO operations, and we will follow that.

“This is clear disinformation intended to create chaos and confusion. Whoever is behind this clearly has ulterior motives, and we shall ask the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate and unmask them to determine their motives.

“We reiterate, and we advise our LGUs, that licensed IGLs can continue operating until we have determined the process of winding down their operations, which we currently have not yet finalised.” 

President Marcos Jr. recently intensified actions against POGOs in the country in his recent state of the nation address, moving to implement a full ban on gaming operators. 

He said: “Disguising as legitimate entities, their operations have ventured into elicit areas beyond gaming, such as financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture – even murder.

“The grave abuse and disrespect to our system of laws must stop. It is necessary to stop this disturbance in our society, and the desecration of our country.”

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Commenting on the figures, Alejandro Tengco, CEO and Chair of PAGCOR, expressed confidence that the annual growth so far indicates that 2024 will be “a banner year” for the market.

For H1 2024, PAGCOR’s net income came in at Php6.56bn (€102.8m), up by 121.48 per cent in comparison to the Php2.96bn reported during the same period the previous year.

Total gross gaming revenue for the Philippines’ gaming industry rose as well by 19.21 per cent to Php194.74bn (H1 2023: Php163.36bn).

PAGCOR noted in a statement on their website that Tengco believes “reforms and enhanced regulations being implemented under the new administration” have contributed to the growth seen in H1.

The CEO said: “PAGCOR’s robust net income growth translates, of course, to a larger Contribution to Nation-Building. We were able to remit Php31.82bn in CNB to the Treasury in the first six months compared to Php22.62bn in the same period last year.”

The gaming corporation stated that gross revenue was up by 42.92 per cent YoY to Php51.76bn (2023: Php36.21bn), with gaming operations consisting of Php45.39bn.

Breaking down the gaming revenue, online gaming (e-games, e-bingo and bingo grantees) had the biggest share at 45.53 per cent with Php20.66bn. Integrated resorts or licensed casinos were next with Php16.06bn (35.39 per cent), followed by PAGCOR-operated casinos under the Casino Filipino brand with Php6.93bn (15.27 per cent).

Tengco added: “Given the phenomenal revenue increase in the e-games sector and with more players and investors signifying their intent to enter the Philippine market, we are confident that the year 2024 will be truly a banner year for PAGCOR.”

In terms of GGR, licensed casinos had the biggest share with Php99.16bn, while e-games generated Php63.01bn, which is over triple the amount reported for the segment in H1 2023 (Php20.43bn).

Meanwhile, PAGCOR-operated casinos GGR fell by 11.6 per cent YoY to Php8.89bn (H1 2023: Php10.06bn).

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In addition, Chair and CEO Alejandro H Tengco noted that the corporation is currently on track to reach Php100bn (€1.61bn) in annual income for the first time in its 40-year history.

Publishing its Q1 results, PAGCOR declared a total income of Php25.24bn (€407.5m), a 42.57 per cent increase year-over-year, with gaming operations achieving revenues of Php22.29bn.

The Q1 revenue figure has also surpassed the corporation’s previous earnings record of Php19.49bn set in Q1 2019 by nearly 30 per cent.

Net income after expenses for Q1 stood at Php18.99bn, a 54.22 per cent improvement on the previous year’s Php12.32bn.

Commenting on the results, Tengco said: “We are happy to announce that PAGCOR is able to sustain our growth trajectory in the first quarter of 2024 and this should help position us into achieving another record-breaking year.”

PAGCOR declared that e-games – eBingo, eGames and Bingo grantees – earned Php9.69bn, a 43.46 per cent share of the total gaming revenue reported in Q1, while licensed casinos earned Php8.04bn, a 36.06 per cent share of the total gaming revenue recorded during the quarter.

Revenue from PAGCOR casinos under the Casino Filipino brand stood at Php3.7bn, a 16.62 per cent share of the total gaming revenue declared for Q1. This percentage is down from the 20.68 per cent share in 2023. Offshore gaming operations contributed Php860.89m, a 3.86 per cent share of the quarter’s total gaming income.

Tengco added: “As we said earlier, the E-games sector will be our major source of gaming revenues this year and in the next few years as innovation and technological integration allows the sector to offer more excitement and convenience to gamers.

“Our robust earnings also bode well for the government’s various socio-civic programs including funding for the Universal Healthcare Program which provides health insurance to millions of poor Filipinos through Philhealth.”

PAGCOR noted that Php15.56bn of its net income during Q1 will go to its Contributions to Nation-Building, including the five per cent franchise tax; 50 per cent government share; shares for LGUs hosting PAGCOR casinos; other socio-civic projects; five per cent share of the Philippine Sports Commission; funding for the Sports Incentives and Benefits Act; and one per cent share of the Board of Claims to compensate persons who are wrongfully convicted.

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Mohegan

Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority has appointed Joseph J Hasson as interim Chief Operating Officer, who is currently the General Manager of Mohegan Casino at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

Effective August 1, 2024, Hasson will be replacing Jody Madigan in the COO position, who has resigned and will be taking a leave of absence pending his departure.

Reporting to President and CEO Ray Pineault, Hasson will serve as interim COO and retain his current General Manager role, subject to necessary regulatory filings or approvals.

Mohegan added that Hasson was an “obvious choice” with his more than 40 years of gaming and hospitality experience, as he has also been COO for Station Casinos and Red Rock Resorts.

Pineault commented: “Joseph J Hasson’s deep understanding of the gaming and hospitality industry makes him exceptionally qualified to maintain our high service and operational excellence standards.

“We are confident that Joe’s extensive experience and proven leadership will ensure continuity in our operations and guest experience.”

The Star

The Star Entertainment Group has announced that Jessica Mellor, CEO of The Star Gold Coast, has tendered her resignation to the operator’s board, effective May 24, 2024. 

Subject to regulatory approval, The Star Gold Coast’s current General Manager of Gaming, Ian Brown, will take on additional responsibilities as acting CEO. Mellor has agreed to provide support until September 2024 to assist with the transition.

Mellor became The Star Gold Coast’s youngest and first female CEO when she was appointed in October 2023. She was previously the COO of the property from 2019. 

She played a key role in helping the venue become “an iconic Gold Coast tourism and entertainment precinct, including the development of the $2bn masterplan part of a joint venture consortium”.

The Star has begun its search for a new CEO for its Gold Coast venue.

Executive Chair, David Foster, noted: “Jessica has led The Star Gold Coast through some challenging times including through COVID and has been instrumental in developing the Gold Coast property into an iconic world-class integrated destination resort with our joint venture partners.

“Jessica has decided the time is right to move on and she leaves with both the board’s and my personal thanks, for her tireless efforts as CEO of The Star Gold Coast.” 

PAGCOR

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation has appointed Wilma Eisma as its new President and Chief Operating Officer. 

Becoming the agency’s first-ever woman President and COO, Eisma succeeds Atty Juanito Sanosa Jr, who resigned from the position last January.

A lawyer by profession, Eisma has a law degree from the Ateneo de Manila University and was previously a member of the Development Bank of the Philippines’ board of directors.

She also served as the first woman Administrator and Chair of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and has held leadership roles with PMFTC Inc, the Philippine affiliate of Philip Morris International, as well as key positions at the Department of Trade and Industry.

Commenting on Eisma’s appointment, PAGCOR Chair Alejandro Tengco said: “We are happy to welcome Atty Wilma Eisma as PAGCOR’s new President and COO.

“We know she will be a great asset, and her vast experience in both the government and private sectors will surely be put to good use here.”

NeoGames

NeoGames has added Christopher Shaban to its leadership team as Managing Director of iLottery, effective immediately.

The appointment of Shaban is part of the company’s plans and progression towards the closing of its acquisition by Aristocrat, expected in the second quarter of 2024.

With over 27 years of experience in the global lottery industry, Shaban initially joined NeoGames in 2021 as EVP of Global Business and Customer Development for the company’s ilottery business.

Moti Malul, CEO at NeoGames, said: “Chris is hugely respected within the lottery industry and his track record speaks for itself. I am thrilled about his appointment and look forward to seeing him drive us forward in our ilottery business.”

Shaban will oversee all ilottery activity for the group globally, including new business and customer growth, as well as the continued global expansion of its ilottery solution and in-house game studio, NeoGames Studio.

Shaban added: “It has been a few wonderful years with NeoGames and I am excited to continue in this new role as Managing Director, iLottery. 

“Working together with the extremely talented people in our company, we are poised to expand our efforts under Aristocrat to best support our global lottery customers on their interactive journey.”

EPIC

EPIC Global Solutions has announced the departure of Mark Potter, who served as Head of Delivery and was the company’s second-longest-serving member of staff.

Potter initially joined the organisation nine years ago, when he teamed up with EPIC Founder and CEO Paul Buck as a Lived Experience Facilitator, before moving into the role of Head of Delivery.

EPIC noted that Potter played a critical role in the company’s work over the years, sharing his own gambling harm story to “educate thousands of at-risk demographics and making a real impact” across the business and its global partners.

“We wish Mark all the best for the future and thank him for his time and efforts in seeking to prevent others from experiencing harm,” stated EPIC.

Aspire Global

Aspire Global, a NeoGames subsidiary, has appointed Jonathan Chilton as Managing Director.

Chilton brings over 19 years of igaming knowledge to the role, with previous experience across B2B and B2C operations.

He previously worked as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director at GM Gaming Limited, a Betway company under the Super Group umbrella, leading its expansion in several regulated European markets while serving as a director on seven licensed entities.

Commenting on his appointment, Chilton said: “It’s fantastic to be joining Aspire Global at what is a very exciting time for the company and its growth prospects. We have a talented team here and I’m determined to accelerate our growth through the delivery of a full spectrum of cutting-edge solutions.”

Chilton also spent 12 years at Osiris Trading in South Africa across several roles, introducing Betway into African markets.

Moti Malul, NeoGames CEO, added: I’m thrilled to welcome Jonathan onboard. Jonathan brings a vast wealth of experience with him and will be a major asset both for Aspire Global’s white label focus as well as the broader NeoGames group.”

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Speaking at the ASEAN Gaming Summit at Shangri-La The Fort, PAGCOR Chair and CEO Alejandro H Tengco stated that rates for online and onsite betting platforms will be reduced by an average of five per cent.

The gambling regulator is hoping that the reduction will encourage those who are operating illegally in the region to apply for a licence, which in turn will help bolster licensing and regulatory revenues.

“The remittance rates should then average around 35 per cent (of GGR), which is quite significant because when we assumed office in August 2022, the prevailing remittance rate was over 50 per cent,” Tengco noted.

“We have gradually lowered them so that by April 1, our rates will be at par with global industry standards.”

Tengco also listed three factors which can help the country’s gaming industry achieve sustained growth – entry and operation of integrated casinos, the electronic games sector’s performance and the benefits from the planned privatisation of PAGCOR casinos.

PAGCOR is projecting that the gaming industry will generate PHP 336.38bn (€5.54bn) in GGR in 2024.

The e-games sector – e-casinos, e-bingo, sports betting and specialty games – is projected to show strong growth and contribute PHP 61.75bn, while licensed casinos – Entertainment City, Metro Manila, Clark, Cebu and the Fiesta Casinos in Rizal and Poro Point – are expected to produce as much as PHP 256.63bn.

Tengco noted: “We expect gaming revenues to sustain growth this year and beyond with the increasing demand for leisure, travel and entertainment from both local and foreign tourists.

“We will also have at least one new IR opening every other year starting with Solaire North in Quezon City which will open its doors in the first half of 2024, followed by another new IR in Clark, with several more in the pipeline including one in Cebu.”

Building off initial declarations made by PAGCOR last September that it seeks to become solely a gambling regulatory agency, Tengco added that Casino Filipino’s planned privatisation will begin in late 2025 or early 2026.

“We need to focus on PAGCOR’s regulatory role through privatisation because this will help level the playing field and revitalise the industry.

“At the same time, this will allow us to ensure safe and responsible gaming while sustaining our contributions to nation-building.”

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Following a month-long investigation, PAGCOR Chair and CEO, Alejandro H Tengco, confirmed that the suspects were apprehended in Parañaque City, with support from the National Capital Region Police Office, as well as the cybercrime unit of the Philippine National Police.

The case will be handed over to the Parañaque Regional Trial Court. 

Tengco stated: “The raiders were armed with a warrant to search, seize and examine operations of computer data against the suspects who were caught red-handed while operating the illegal online gaming platform tbb888.com or the ‘Big Bet’.”

In total, 11 computers, 21 mobile phones, two iPads, six laptops and several flash drives were seized by the authorities, believed to be used for running the gambling operations that illegally profited from online slot machines, live casino games and esports betting. 

Raul Villanueva, PAGCOR SVP for Security and Monitoring Cluster, added: “The operation was part of our unified efforts to intensify the fight against illegal online gambling because we have a marching order from PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco to put a stop to these illegal activities.”

Towards the end of last year, the Chinese government announced that it would collaborate with the Philippines on the issue of illicit gambling impacting both nations, looking to “crack down on cross-border crimes”. 

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The RGB Connect Gala Night at Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort in the province of Pampanga heard Alejandro Tengco, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation Chair and Chief Executive Officer, suggest that the industry is back to pre-pandemic levels.

This saw the lifting of travel and movement restrictions cited as driving an increased demand for dining, shopping and other outdoor activities that were not possible for some time. 

“And so, one year into the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, our gross gaming revenues have returned to near the levels of 2019 which was the year PAGCOR achieved its all-time high for Philippine GGR levels,” he said.

“Today, we expect the 2023 GGR to match, if not surpass, our 2019 record. Not bad considering that many of our traditional high rollers and junkets have not fully returned, but our domestic players and the influx of new tourists have filled the void.”

In the aftermath of PAGCOR allotting Php56.2bn for nation-building initiatives in 2024, Tengco also noted that the local gaming industry will also be supported by additional integrated resorts, as well as a modernisation program that will be tasked with driving revenue.  

“Clark is projected to become a major gaming and tourism hub before the end of this decade. If you go around Clark, you can see its immense potential,” Tengco noted.

“You can see the infrastructure in place, you can see the surrounding tourist destinations, and you can see the new buildings and new commercial districts being developed in all directions,” he said.

Adding: “We expect the delivery of 3,000 brand new slot machines by January next year. We have an agreement in place with a supplier for a revenue-sharing scheme for these new machines which we expect to generate at least P18bn in revenues in the next five years.

“We are also modernising our table games by replacing our old ones with new and more sophisticated gaming tables to attract more players and further increase revenues.”

Furthermore, a procurement process regarding the Casino Filipino online platform is also underway, with the regulator seeking a platform in a bid “to give PAGCOR a significant share of the very lucrative and very profitable online market.”

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22

The Swedish government has announced plans within its 2024 budget to increase the tax on gambling GGR as it believes the country’s market is now stable following legalisation in 2019.

From 1 July 2024, Regeringskansliet plans to increase Sweden’s gambling tax from 18 per cent to 22 per cent in hopes of raising an additional SEK 540m (£39.4m) per year.

With concerns surrounding low channelisation, the Swedish government hopes that by increasing the gambling tax, a channelisation target of 90 per cent can be achieved with little negative impact on the legal market.

The proposal – which can be found on pages 289-290, section 12.20 of the 2024 Budget – is expected to be put forth before the Riksdag for approval in the spring of next year.

However, the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling – Branschföreningen för Onlinespel – has argued that the proposed changes don’t take into account the current state of the market and the future it is heading toward.

60

Data from GamCare has indicated that the percentage of people calling the National Gambling Helpline for gambling support related to online slots has almost doubled in the last five years.

With this data in mind and in response to the UK government’s gambling white paper consultation, the gambling support charity is calling for the maximum stake for online slots to be set at £2.

The data revealed that 73 per cent of the 5,660 callers to the National Gambling Helpline last year struggled with online gambling.

Of those who contacted the helpline last year, 60 per cent reported online slots as one of the main gambling activities they were struggling with, which is up from 34 per cent in 2018-19. 

Meanwhile, the proportion of people citing challenges with betting exchanges has risen from 0.3 per cent to 7.6 per cent over the last five years. The percentage of gamblers having problems with online financial markets such as cryptocurrency and high-risk trading platforms has increased from 0.02 per cent to 2.17 per cent.

However, the proportion of those who have had difficulties with online sports betting has decreased, falling from 34 per cent in 2018-19 to 20 per cent in 2022-23.

690,947

Lindar Media Limited, the operator of online casino Mr Q, is facing regulatory action by the UK Gambling Commission and has been ordered to pay £690,947 for social responsibility and anti-money laundering failures.

The regulatory action follows an investigation by the UKGC into Lindar Media, which found failings in the operator’s processes aimed at preventing money laundering and protecting individuals from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

The commission found failings in Lindar Media’s implementation of AML policies, procedures and controls, deficiencies in its responsible gambling policies, procedures, controls and practices, and weaknesses in its reporting arrangements in respect of key events.

54

Tabcorp along with eight venues have been charged by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission for allegedly allowing minors to gamble.

In breach of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, Tabcorp faces a total of 54 charges from the VGCCC, including 27 counts of allowing a minor to gamble and failing to reasonably supervise its electronic betting terminals.

The VGCCC has charged eight venues for allowing a minor to gamble, allowing a minor within a gaming machine area and failing to ensure gambling vending machines were reasonably supervised at all times between 8 September 2022 to 1 November 2022.

531.6

New Jersey gaming revenue increased by almost 13 per cent in August in comparison to the previous year, as all verticals saw improvements year-over-year.

Data from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement stated that total gaming revenue from the Garden State’s casinos, racetracks and their partners in August amounted to $531.6m. This figure was a 12.9 per cent increase on the previous year (August 2022: $470.7m).

For the year-to-date, total gaming revenue currently stands at $3.77bn, up 11.2 per cent YoY (2022: $3.38bn).

New Jersey’s nine casino hotel properties led the way in terms of contribution towards August’s revenue total with $280.3m, followed by igaming with a win of $155.3m and sports wagering with gross revenue of $96m.

August’s casino revenue of $280.3m was a 2.3 per cent uptick in comparison to the previous year (2022: $274m). YTD, casino revenue currently stands at $1.93bn, once again a 2.3 per cent increase YoY (2022: $1.88bn).

Slot machine win generated $210.5m towards the casino total for August, up 3 per cent YoY (2022: $204.3m), while table games amounted to $69.7m, a slight improvement on the previous year (2022: $69.6m).

2025

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation has declared that it is transitioning to become solely a gambling regulatory agency, moving away from its dual role of an operator and a regulator.

Alejandro H Tengco, CEO and Chair of PAGCOR, stated that the move, to be completed by 2025, has been put in place to fulfil the corporation’s aim of levelling the playing field to “ensure future growth and viability for all gaming industry players”.

“We have started preparing for this transition in earnest, and we are starting where it matters most – within PAGCOR itself,” said Tengco.

Knowing its strengths and limitations, Tengco remarked that PAGCOR aims to become “the gold standard in the Asian gaming scene,” and while it recognises that the shift could impact some employees, it is preparing plans to help those affected avoid displacement, especially those that work in PAGCOR-operated casinos.

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Alejandro H Tengco, CEO and Chair of PAGCOR, stated that the move, to be completed by 2025, has been put in place to fulfil the corporation’s aim of levelling the playing field to “ensure future growth and viability for all gaming industry players”.

“We have started preparing for this transition in earnest, and we are starting where it matters most – within PAGCOR itself,” said Tengco.

Knowing its strengths and limitations, Tengco remarked that PAGCOR aims to become “the gold standard in the Asian gaming scene,” and while it recognises that the shift could impact some employees, it is preparing plans to help those affected avoid displacement, especially those that work in PAGCOR-operated casinos.

Tengco noted: “We have been going around the country during the past few months, holding town hall meetings with our employees. We tell them there is no reason to worry because we have plans in place to mitigate, if not totally avoid, any personnel displacement.

“You will be surprised to know how people react to our plans, and how they express their trust in our process.”

PAGCOR is making “necessary changes” to its corporate structure, business processes and procedures to be “more responsive and competitive”, including a move into a single corporate office and modernising casinos to improve the player experience, making them a more attractive asset for future sales.

New regulations for international gaming licensees have also recently been implemented by PAGCOR to help reduce and eliminate illegal activities.

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This follows the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation pursuing legal action against 33 offshore gaming licensees due to unpaid fees, with it noted that those in question have unpaid licence fees that amount to P2.02bn (£27.86m).

Unauthorised use or misrepresentation of accreditation

It was warned that “fake online gaming sites” are using an old PAGCOR logo, with the public advised to exercise caution due to the threat that could be posed to both personal and financial information.

Steps currently being taken include handing over the results of investigation and monitoring of dubious websites to the Philippine National Police, as well as the Department of Information and Communication Technology and the National Bureau of Investigation, for legal action.

In addition, PAGCOR is also maintaining engagement with law enforcement agencies and electronic payment service providers to explore the possibility of blocking payments made to and from illegal gambling websites, which it is noted has “proven effective in the US and Singapore”.

“So far, we have been able to shut down most of these illicit websites, but some of them are able to immediately create new ones so we really need the public’s cooperation and vigilance to help us weed out these scammers,” noted Alejandro Tengco, PAGCOR Chair and CEO.

Adding: “In coordination with the NTC, we will also continue to follow up on illegal sites that have not been blocked or taken down. 

“Another option is to create a landing site to redirect bettors to a website that will warn them about illegal sites that they are accessing.”

Jessa Fernandez, PAGCOR Assistant Vice President for Offshore Gaming Licensing Department, noted that PAGCOR is taking all necessary steps to address the issue, and called on the public to immediately report any unauthorised use or misrepresentation of accreditation.”

“We urge the public to check our list of licensees … before accessing these sites and to immediately report any illegal offshore gaming operations.”

Uncovering truth of the missing bond

Last week, Tengco welcomed a series of charges that were levelled against himself, and nine others, over the perceived disappearance of a PHP75m performance related bond.

Following a series of local media reports, he said that he embraced the filing of charges, which include malversation of public funds, qualified theft and falsification of private and commercial documents, by an e-sabong (cockfighting) company.

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