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Southeast Asia’s gambling industry has been on the rise throughout the past decade. And although land-based gambling locations are commonly found throughout Asia, the industry has been doing exceptionally well in the Philippines. The Philippines is home to many attractions - its main gambling hub is dubbed Entertainment City.
As of now, the Philippines is one of the fastest-growing gambling
hubs in all of Asia. Many travel there just for the casinos and resorts. But
that does not stop there for the country as the Philippines may soon become
Asia’s biggest gambling hub.
What’s Next
for the Country?
The country’s gambling industry has brought in significant amounts
of revenue and business. Currently, the country has set its sights on further
expanding its casino portfolio to possibly earn the position of the world’s
biggest gambling venue.
The country has also seen a significant rise in its online casino
department. Those looking to bet at the best live online casino sites in the
Philippines can refer to this list
of legitimate operators.
Recently, numerous casinos located in Cebu and Manila have
experienced an inflow of gambling enthusiasts entering their premises. In
addition, an increasing number of casinos have been sanctioned by PAGCOR (the
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation). As a result, these casinos have
experienced an influx of gamblers.
This exponential growth has led to agreements between prominent
casinos and game developers. It has also attracted the attention of the most
popular entertainers to such venues. Many of such entertainers have also
performed at resorts in that region, turning them into the most sought-out
vacation getaways for those looking to gamble during their holidays.
One of the most noteworthy deals to have been struck involving the
country’s casinos in recent years was the one finalized in February 2020. At
that point, Electronic Gaming Equipment had also cut a deal with the JPark
Palace Casino to supply their gaming machines to the locale. That deal was one
of the many to have been made between casinos and game developers in the
Philippines, signifying the location’s attraction to such corporations.
With huge strides in the industry since then - very recently, Abbiati Casino Equipment also became a
major supplier for the Hann Casino Resort. The Hann Casino Resort is a luxury
integrated resort located in Clark.
The Philippines’ Gambling Foundation
Most of the success experienced by the Philippines’ gambling
industry in recent years has mainly been linked to the involvement and efforts
of PAGCOR. The organization is owned by the government of the Philippines,
established in 1869. The establishment was created to evaluate new sources of
revenue the state could make use of to enhance the country’s finances.
One way it was appointed as a field where the country’s government
could earn profits was in the taxation and licensing of casinos. That plan had
been executed in 1977. That was when a floating casino of sorts was built in
Manila Bay. The casino saw success but was burned down two years after its
initialization.
Four years later, several small-scale projects were funded by
PAGCOR. Later in 2007, the organization issued licenses to run bingo halls and
casino locations to several private operators. In addition, PAGCOR issued
licenses to e-gaming cafes around that time as well.
The country has been seeing success ever since. The country now
has above ten (and counting) renowned casinos operating throughout the country.
This is highly remarkable when you compare it to the Philippines’ gambling
industry’s main rival - Macau.
Macau is regarded as a hotspot for avid gamblers throughout Asia.
It is also home to ten major casinos. This is the dichotomy of how effectively
the Philippines’ stock has surged over the past ten years, owing to the efforts
of PAGCOR.
Philippines
Gambling Hubs
Entertainment City, also known as E-City, is the hotspot for
gambling in the Philippines with attractions such as Solaire Resort &
Casino, Genting Resorts World Bayshore, and the City of Dreams Manila. The
location is a gambling strip spreading over a hundred acres, its design taking
inspiration from Macau and Las Vegas.
The project’s formal name is Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Entertainment
City, shortened to the current one. In addition, a total of four integrated
resorts have been ratified to be established in E-City. The country also houses
numerous privately-held gambling houses and casinos, operating under a PAGCOR
license. The main benefit of E-City is that these casinos are in very close
proximity to the NAIA (the Ninoy Aquino International Airport).
The country’s regulatory bodies have deemed it necessary for
E-City investors to contribute a minimum of 1 billion USD to their facilities
and infrastructure. They are also to follow a set ratio of gambling tables to
hotel rooms. The gaming revenues acquired from E-City make up over 50% of the
total gambling revenues in the Philippines.