PAGCOR publishes reopening guidelines

Regulator outlines health and safety measures for licensees preparing to reopen post Covid-19 pandemic.

Philippines.- New health and safety guidelines are being deployed in the Philippines for gaming, bingo and poker venues as they look to reopen following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) issued the new measures on Friday ahead of the planned reopening next month.

In a message to operators, PAGCOR said: “As the lifting of temporary suspension of gaming operations as a whole or in specific areas may be announced at any moment by the Board of Directors on the basis of quarantine qualifications and recommendation, an operator is expected to prepare its gaming site/s and comply with the formulation and submission of its ‘Strategic Guidelines’.” 

PAGCOR also said that operators who are aiming to reopen will be required to submit their own ‘Strategic Guidelines’ to the Gaming Licensing and Development Department (GLDD).

Guidelines are to be sent at least five working days before the target reopening date.

In April, PAGCOR announced its profits were down 50 per cent, citing the pandemic as the driving force behind the decline.