Bingo for A Cause offers bigger funds to LGUs, organizations

Mon | 9.23.2024 | 1:O0 PM

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) said it has tweaked its “Bingo for A Cause’’ program to help local government units (LGUs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) raise more funds for their socio-civic programs.

PAGCOR Assistant Vice President Maria Teresa Ocampo said the state gaming agency has approved new packages that will allow LGUs and NGOs to earn as much as 50% share from proceeds of bingo events to be conducted with PAGCOR.

VP Villaflor shakes hands with Mayor Barzaga following the ceremonial unveiling of the socio-civic center’s marker.

PAGCOR unveils modern socio-civic center in Dasmarinas City

Sun | 9.22.2024 | 1:O0 PM

DASMARIÑAS CITY, Cavite – The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) inaugurated here Wednesday, September 18, its 41st completed Socio-Civic Center three years after its groundbreaking in October 2021.

The three-story modern structure was built with a Php50 million grant from PAGCOR and is the only socio-civic facility with complement funding from the city government, bringing the total project cost to Php110 million.

It is also the only socio-civic facility that is equipped with an elevator to help elderly and physically challenged visitors to reach its higher floors with ease.

PAGCOR holds mall exhibit for 2024 Photo Contest winning entries

Thu | 9.19.2024 | 4:O0 PM

Winning entries of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s (PAGCOR) 2024 Photography Competition are now on display at the MET Live Mall in Pasay City to give the public a chance to see and appreciate them.

The photo exhibit, which will run until October 14, gives the public a unique perspective into the country’s bountiful harvest season, which is the theme of PAGCOR’s photo contest this year.

“Through this photo exhibit, we give more people the opportunity to appreciate...

The mobile category grand winners proudly show their trophies, certificates, and cash prizes awarded by PAGCOR President and COO Wilma Eisma (4th from right) and Directors Francis Concordia (extreme right) and Gilbert Remulla (extreme left).

PAGCOR photo contest 2024 grand winners bared

Tue | 9.17.2024 | 4:O0 PM

THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) today announced the 24 grand winners of its prestigious 2024 Photography Competition which attracted nearly 4,000 entries nationwide.

With the help of seasoned photographers and exceptional visual artists who served as jurors during the regional and final screenings, PAGCOR carefully selected photo entries that stood out for their originality and visual impact.

PAGCOR casinos set to receive 2000 new slot machines

Tue | 9.10.2024 | 4:O0 PM

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco announced today, September 10, that nearly 2,000 units of new and modern slot machines for Casino Filipino gaming venues will be delivered mid-September as part of the agency’s modernization program.

During the opening of the IAG Academy Summit at the Hilton Manila this morning, Mr. Tengco said the delivery of the new machines will level up the game offerings of Casino Filipino branches nationwide in a bid to increase foot traffic and boost overall profitability.

“As we prepare for the planned privatization of PAGCOR casinos, we intend to increase their value by modernizing our gaming facilities and equipment to make them more attractive to potential investors,” the PAGCOR chief said during his keynote address.

The agency has ordered a total of 3,341 new slot machines which are identical to those that are being used in the country’s top integrated resort casinos. The first batch arriving within the week consists of 1,968 units.

Mayor Art Mercado of San Pedro City in Laguna (4th from right) receives from PAGCOR the relief donations for residents who were affected by heavy rains and floods brought by Tropical Storm Enteng and the southwest monsoon.

PAGCOR brings swift aid to 5,500 families in flood-hit communities

Wed | 9.04.2024 | 4:O0 PM

Braving heavy rains and floods, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) provided timely relief goods to several communities affected by the combined effects of Tropical Storm Enteng and the southwest monsoon this week.

Over 5,500 families received food and non-food packs during PAGCOR’s relief operations on September 2 and 3. The food packs contained rice, canned goods and grocery items while the non-food packs included mosquito nets and toiletries.

PH Q2 Gross Gaming Revenues up 32.32% to 89.23 billion

SUN | 8.11.2024 | 9:O0 AM

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) announced today that the country’s Gross Gaming Revenues (GGR) for the second quarter reached Php89.23 billion, which is 32.32% higher than the Php67.43 billion GGR in the same period last year.

The second quarter GGR is also 9.21% higher than the first quarter industry revenue of Php81.70 billion.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the Electronic Games (E-Games) sector, which brought in Php30.85 billion, is still the local gaming industry’s best performer in terms of growth.

PAGCOR slams disinformation on POGO closure order

Sat | 7.27.2024 | 1:30 PM

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) today flagged a disinformation campaign through a memorandum purportedly ordering local government units to immediately terminate the operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or POGOs by August, saying that the memo was fake.

Atty. Jessa Mariz Fernandez, head of PAGCOR’s Offshore Gaming Licensing Department, said the supposed memo to LGUs in Metro Manila dated July 26 was a forged version of an earlier memorandum she issued last July 23, a day after the President’s State of the Nation Address.

“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,” Atty. Fernandez said.

The fake memo was telling select LGUs in Metro Manila to terminate POGO operations “within the first week of August”.

“This is a clear disinformation intended to create chaos and confusion,” she said. “Whoever is behind this clearly has ulterior motives, and we shall ask the National Bureau of Investigation...”

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco receives a plaque of recognition as one of this year’s “Men Who Matter” awardees. The annual awards ceremony is organized by PeopleAsia magazine.

PAGCOR Chief feted as one of men who matter in 2024

Sat | 7.27.2024 | 11:00 AM

Barely two years at the helm of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco has been recognized as a game changer and was thus chosen as one of the “Men Who Matter” awardees this year.

The annual awards ceremony, organized by PeopleAsia Magazine, recognizes and pays tribute to the country’s outstanding men who made a mark in their respective fields while giving back to society.

Mr. Tengco’s tenacity to lead PAGCOR and transform it into a better and more responsive government organization was cited by the award-giving body which commended his drive to increase the agency’s “net income by 53 percent, its revenues by 34.6 percent and its contribution to nation-building by 43 percent” in the first half of the year.

In his acceptance speech, Chairman Tengco said he now has an even bigger task to accomplish after he was instructed by the President to wind down the operations of all Philippine offshore gaming operators or POGOs in the country by the end of the year.

PAGCOR’s Community Relations and Services Department head Eric Balcos (middle) and Senior Manager Rydel de Guzman (left) turn over on July 24 a total of 2,000 food and non-food relief packs to Caloocan City 1st District Representative Oscar Malapitan for distribution to families affected by Typhoon Carina.

PAGCOR braves floods to help disaster-hit communities

Fri | 7.26.2024 | 5:30 PM

At the height of the downpour and massive flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces Wednesday, volunteer teams from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) started bringing relief packs to affected communities.

Classes and government work were suspended on Wednesday and Thursday due to the widespread flooding, but PAGCOR volunteers went into action nevertheless.

“Even at the height of the flooding, and even before the President ordered government agencies to provide assistance to affected communities, PAGCOR employees...

PAGCOR: Net income more than doubles in 1st half to PHP6.56B

Sun | 7.14.2024 | 3:00 PM

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) today announced that its net income for the first half of 2024 has reached Php6.56 billion, up by 121.48% from its net income of Php2.96 billion in the same period last year.

Total Philippine gaming industry gross gaming revenue or GGR on the other hand grew 19.21% to Php194.743 billion from the Php163.36 billion GGR in the first semester of 2023.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said the robust income growth of the state gaming firm is a testament to the positive result of the reforms and enhanced regulations being implemented under the new administration.

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

Chairman Tengco receives a plaque of appreciation from Agoncillo Mayor Cinderella Reyes (right) and Vice Mayor Daniel Reyes (left).

PAGCOR unveils first socio-civic-facility in Batangas

Thu | 6.27.2024 | 7:00 PM

AGONCILLO, Batangas – The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation formally unveiled its latest and most recently completed Socio-Civic Center here Wednesday, June 26, two years after the project’s groundbreaking in March 2022.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco led the inauguration ceremony for the Php50-million state-of-the-art structure in Barangay Pansipit, a village named after the river that connects Taal Lake to Balayan Bay.

Integrated resorts fuel economy, local tourism - PAGCOR

Mon | 6.24.2024 | 1:00 PM

The country’s integrated resorts and casinos remain as one of the main growth drivers of local tourism, in the process creating a multiplier effect across various industries, according to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

This was emphasized by Ma. Vina Claudette Oca, PAGCOR Assistant Vice President for Gaming Licensing and Development Department, during a panel discussion at the 1st Philippine Tourism and Hotel Investment Summit held over the weekend.

Oca, one of the panelists on the topic, “Navigating Challenges and Opportunities for Casino Hotels in the Philippines”, said casinos are just a small component of the many attractions offered by integrated resorts in the country.

She said that this is because PAGCOR mandates all integrated resorts to offer more non-gaming attractions and resort facilities, including dining and shopping destinations.

“In fact, they are only allowed to allocate 7.5% of their facility’s total floor area to gaming,” she said. “The rest of the floor area is allocated for non-gaming facilities such as hotel rooms, retail areas, dining and other attractions.”

PAGCOR says alien crime syndicates, not POGOs, are the real threat

Sun | 6.9.2024 | 10:00 AM

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation today said alien hacking and scam syndicates (AHaSS) are the real threat to national security, not legitimate and licensed offshore gaming operators called POGOs.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said legitimate Internet Gaming Licensees or IGLs generate funds for the government, contributing more than Php5 billion to PAGCOR’s gross revenues in 2023.

“To us, the real threat are the alien hacking and scam syndicates who operate underground, and they are the ones that our law enforcement agencies are trying to locate and dismantle,” Mr. Tengco said. “And we are cooperating fully with the authorities in this regard.”

First integrated casino resort in Quezon City: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos lead the ribbon-cutting during the formal opening of Solaire Resort North on May 25 with Bloomberry Resorts Corporation Chairman and CEO Enrique Razon Jr. With them are (from left) Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco, Mrs. Lizzy Razon and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte.

PAGCOR: Solaire Resort North marks new era in gaming, tourism

Sun | 5.26.2024 | 2:30 PM

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco on Saturday hailed Bloomberry Resorts Corporation for its latest luxury development, the Solaire Resort North, which he said is an instant landmark destination in Quezon City.

During the formal opening of the second Solaire-branded leisure and entertainment property in Metro Manila, Mr. Tengco said Solaire Resort North “marks a new era not only for the Philippine gaming industry but also for the tourism industry.”

PH gross gaming revenues up 18.5% to PHP81.7 billion in 1Q

Wed | 5.15.2024 | 6:00 PM

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) today said the country’s Gross Gaming Revenues (GGR) in the first quarter of the year reached Php81.70 billion, an 18.54% increase from the Php68.92 billion in the same quarter last year.

The latest GGR is another new record, sustaining an upward trend for the local gaming industry since the post-pandemic recovery started in the last quarter of 2022.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the Electronic Games (E-Games) sector continues its record-breaking performance, bringing in Php22.5 billion or more than six times the 2023 first quarter revenues of Php3.5 billion.

“The E-Games revenue performance continues to exceed our projections, and this reflects how gaming technology and the proliferation of mobile devices is influencing not only our daily lives but our entertainment choices as well,” he said.

“With the way technology is constantly shaping our lives and the way we do business, and even the way we choose to be entertained, the future of gaming clearly lies in this sector,” Mr. Tengco added.

The PAGCOR chief said the state-run gaming agency’s improved regulatory policies and reduced fees also contributed to the success of the E-Games sector.

Members of the CIDG-NCR and PAGCOR personnel arrested on May 2 a group of suspects that included 10 Chinese nationals for violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208), Alien Registration Act (RA 562) and Cybercrime Prevention Act (RA 10175). The suspects were arrested in a house in Multinational Village, Parañaque City and were allegedly engaged in cryptocurrency and love scams. Mobile phones, desktop computers, credit cards, cash vaults, ammunitions, vehicles and various Chinese government documents were seized during the raid.

2 Raids net 10 Chinese, 26 pinoys for illegal games, online scams

Thurs | 5.02.2024 | 2:00 PM

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) today said 10 Chinese nationals and 26 Filipinos have been arrested in two separate operations against illegal gaming operations and online scams in Laguna and Parañaque City since Tuesday.

Members of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group together with representatives from PAGCOR arrested today, May 1, the group that manages Facebook Page Lucky Dream 4 which runs an illegal online raffle. Several computer equipment, gadgets and other gaming paraphernalia were confiscated during the raid.

16 people arrested for illegal online raffle on Facebook

Wed | 5.01.2024 | 7:00 PM

Sixteen people who were running an illegal online raffle on Facebook were arrested today, May 1, by members of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) and representatives of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)...

PAGCOR posts 42% surge in 1st quarter income to Php 25.2 billion

Sun | 4.28.2024 | 9:30 AM

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) today said its total income for the first quarter of 2024 has reached Php25.24 billion, a 42.57% increase compared with the same period last year.

The three-month earnings put the state gaming firm on track to reach the Php100 billion annual income for the year, which would be a first in the 40-year history of the state gaming firm, according to PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco.

“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,” Mr. Tengco said ...

Atty. Wilma Eisma takes her oath as PAGCOR’s new President and Chief Operating Officer before Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin in Malacanang today, April 4.

PAGCOR welcomes lawyer Wilma Eisma as new President and COO

Thu | 4.18.2024 | 6:00 PM

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) today welcomed its new President and Chief Operating Officer, lawyer Wilma Eisma, who took her oath of office before Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin in Malacanang this morning.

“We are happy to welcome Atty. Wilma Eisma as PAGCOR’s new President and COO,” Chairman Alejandro Tengco said. “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.”

Mr. Tengco said he witnessed Ms. Eisma’s oath-taking in Malacanang this morning. She then immediately joined her first PAGCOR Board meeting in the afternoon as the agency’s first ever woman President and COO ...

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco (right) hands over a facsimile check to Deputy National Treasurer Eduardo Anthony Mariño III during today’s simple dividend turnover ceremony at the new PAGCOR Corporate Office in Pasay City. The check amounting to nearly Php4.6 billion is the agency’s latest cash dividend to the government and represents 75% of PAGCOR’s net earnings in calendar year 2023. The turnover is also in accordance with Republic Act No. 7656 or the Dividend Law mandating government-owned and controlled corporations to remit part of their earnings to the Treasury.

PAGCOR turns over PHP4.59-B cash dividends to state treasury

Mon | 3.25.2024 | 4:00 PM

THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) today remitted a total of Php4.59 billion in cash dividends to the National Treasury to help fund the national government’s efforts in ensuring the country’s sustained economic growth and development.

The latest remittance represents 75% of PAGCOR’s net income in calendar year 2023. It is higher than the usual 50% remittance pursuant to the request of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto to PAGCOR to advance an additional 25% dividend to fund government expenditures.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the state gaming firm’s robust earnings from gaming operations enabled it to book Php79.37 billion ...