All Metro Manila Casinos Shut Down After PAGCOR Decision

1.04.2020, 20:02

Gambling is quite a popular pastime in the Philippines; Metro Manila alone has about 20 casinos. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is a government-owned organization that owns numerous casinos and also regulates privately owned venues.

PAGCOR has also granted licenses and regulated the online gambling sector ever since 2016. Casinos, as well as gambling-integrated resorts, have had a big impact on the Phillippine’s economy- especially their tourism sector.

Unfortunately, gambling operations in the Phillippines have come screeching to a halt. This is due to the rise of confirmed coronavirus cases in the nation; they are up to 140 cases and 12 deaths. The PAGCOR announced on Sunday that all gaming operations shall be suspended for the time being.

This suspension includes the following physical locations:

state-owned and privately owned land-based casinos
integrated resorts
poker clubs
slot machine clubs
sports betting venues
traditional bingo halls

Furthermore, electronic games and e-bingo are being shut down – even though you wouldn’t be able to catch an illness by gambling on your phone or computer. This is because e-games are still run by employees, who now need to stay home and follow quarantine procedures.

These closures will last for the rest of the National Capital Region quarantine that was mandated by the president of the Phillippines, Rodrigo Duterte. This lockdown began at midnight on March 15, 2020, and will last until April 12th. This lockdown affects all 57 million residents of the island of Luzon. They will only be able to move around to buy strict essentials. All establishments, except those that sell food and medicine, will be closed down. Furthermore, uniformed law enforcement will be around in greater numbers in order to enforce the quarantine.

According to PAGCOR’s Sunday statement, the gaming venue’s restaurants could remain open. Furthermore, hotels that contain casinos may remain open and host guests. On the other hand, they have been encouraged to cancel events that draw large groups of people.

PAGCOR also announced that offshore gaming operations will also be affected; the number of employees allowed in offshore casinos will be limited. Employees of online gambling operators that are based out of Metro Manila will have to stay home and practice social distancing.

All public gatherings that were to take place in gaming venues have been prohibited by the PAGCOR. This is to protect employees of the gaming industry, as well as customers and the general population.

In order to further enforce quarantine, the Phillippine government put a curfew into place; as of Monday, people can only travel to access basic necessities between the hours of 5 a.m. and 8 p.m.