LRWC will continue with its bingo expansion in the Philippines

Despite Malacañang’s stance against online gambling, Leisure & Resorts World Corp won’t stop the expansion of its gaming business.

The Philippines.- Leisure & Resorts World Corp (LRWC) will continue expanding its gaming business despite a pronouncement from Malacañang against online gambling operations.

During the first Cabinet meeting, President Rodrigo R. Duterte ordered Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Andrea D. Domingo to revoke the licenses of online gambling operators.

“We are pursuing with the plans; we don’t see any reason why we should not as long as we follow government guidelines,” said Reynaldo P. Bantug LRWC’s Chairman and President.

LRWC offers electronic games launched by PhilWeb Corp. under a license from PAGCOR although even this operation cannot be considered as online gambling, according to Head Alfredo B. Reyes, Investor Relations.

“We’re happy to say that [the] company is not affected by the statement… First, our business model is not really online because, as you know, we are a bingo parlour and we don’t use the Internet for that except for a small portion of our business,” explained Bantug. “There is really no online gaming in the Philippines because even the Philweb, you have to come in the site, sit down in the terminal… you cannot access it from the house.”

LRWC will continue implementing its expansion plan for the year. The company aims to open 30 more boutique bingo sites, in addition to the 137 it currently operates across the Philippines.