Manila IRs get permission to receive guests
Manila;s IRs have been allowed to accept guests for staycations after The Philippines’ president placed Metro Manila under general community quarantine,
The Philippines.- The Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) has allowed 13 Manila Integrated Resorts to reopen and receive guests for a staycation.
With a total of 5,986 rooms between them, Metro Manila IRs may receive only staycation guests from within the National Capital Region. Guests must be aged between 18 and 65.
The 13 properties approved are:
- Okada Manila Hotel
- Shangri-la at the Fort
- Nobu Hotel
- Joy Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila
- EDSA Shangri-la Manila
- Solaire Resort
- Hyatt Regency
- Nuwa Hotel of City of Dreams
- The Peninsula Manila
- Aruga by Rockwell
- Sheraton Manila Hotel
- Hilton Manila
- Grand Hyatt Hotel
The announcement comes a few days after the government announced that Metro Manila would ease Covid-19 countermeasures after a drop in the number of active cases.
Metro Manila is now under a less restrictive general community quarantine (GCQ) until May 31. That allows some activities at a reduced capacity depending on the industry.
Although Metro Manila IRs have been allowed to receive guests, there have been no further announcements regarding the reopening of casinos.
Casinos at Entertainment City shut in March. Okada Manila, City of Dreams Manila and Solaire Resort and Casino have not updated their websites to announce a reopening.
Metro Manila IRs allowed to take online bets
PAGCOR has announced that Metro Manila IRs Solaire Resort, Casino and Resorts World Manila and Okada Manila Resort can offer online table games and slots.
The three Metro Manila IRs may run online table games and slot machines.
The licences will be regulated under a new system called PIGO (Philippine Inland Gaming Operator), which allows operators to offer gaming services to players within the country.
PAGCOR chairman Andrea Domingo said licences would have limits. She said: “Not just anyone can play because of non-proliferation and responsible gaming.”
PAGCOR GGR up 19.0 per cent in Q1
Philippine Casinos brought in GGR of PHP25.74bn (US$536.2m) in Q1 2021, which represents an increase of 19.0 per cent from PHP25.80bn (US$538.5m) in Q4 2020.
However, during the first quarter of 2021, Philippine GGR was down 43.9 per cent year-on-year, mainly due to the impact of Covid-19 restrictions.
