iGaming back on track in Philippines

The national government and online gaming operators carried out a four-month legal battle.

Philippines.- After four months of stagnation in the iGaming industry, Pagcor decided to reopen the negotiations to allow e-gaming cafes in Philippines. A total of 76 companies have expressed interest to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) in the initial 25 offshore gaming licenses scheduled to be awarded this month.

Andrea Domingo, Pagcor CEO, said that 76 applications have been received from online gambling firms since the license offering was rolled out in September.

“We will open it up to more people but only under very stringent measures,” stated Arnell Ignacio assistant vice president for the community relation and services department of Pagcor in an interview with radio news channel DZMM. The new gaming centres will be located 200-meters away from schools and churches. Pagcor had begun the legal battle against e-gaming cafes due to they were in violation of distance restriction guidelines set by the government.

Whilst 36 e-bingo sites of AB Leisure Exponent Inc (ABLE) and 17 sites of Total Gamezone Extreme Inc (TGXI) were ordered to immediately cease operations, the government approved other 20 eBingo sites located in malls, arcades and hotels, as they were considered exempted from distance requirements.