Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation
{{Short description|State-owned gambling operator in the Philippines}}
{{Redirect|PAGCOR|the observation tower in Manila, Philippines|PAGCOR Tower}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation
| logo = PAGCOR logo (2023).svg
| logo_size = 150px
| logo_alt = New logo since June 27, 2023
| image = PAGCOR_Building.jpg
| image_caption = PAGCOR old main office in Ermita, Manila
| type = State-owned
| hq_location = IMET BPO Tower, Roxas Boulevard, Metropolitan Park, Central Business Park 1-A, Pasay, Metro Manila
| founder =
| area_served =
| key_people = {{Plainlist|
- Alejandro Tengco (Chairman and CEO){{cite web | url=https://www.pagcor.ph/about-us.php | title=PAGCOR Executives }}
- Wilma Eisma (President and COO)
}}
| industry = Casino
| products =
| revenue = {{increase}} {{Philippine peso|285.27 billion}} {{abbr|GGR|Gross gaming revenue}}{{cite web |title=Philippine Gaming Industry Data 4Q CY 2022|url=https://www.pagcor.ph/regulatory/pdf/Industry%20Statistic/Industry-Data-4Q-2022.pdf |publisher=PAGCOR |access-date=4 January 2025}}{{cite web |title=Philippine Gaming Industry Data CY 2023 |url=https://www.pagcor.ph/regulatory/pdf/Industry%20Statistic/Industry-Data-4Q-2023.pdf |publisher=PAGCOR |access-date=4 January 2025}}
| revenue_year = 2023
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| assets =
| equity =
| num_employees = 11,000+
| subsid =
| motto =
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1977|1|1}}
| homepage = {{URL|http://www.pagcor.ph}}
}}
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR, {{Langx|fil|Korporasyon sa Libangan at Palaro ng Pilipinas}}){{cite book |editor1-last=Narvaez |editor1-first=Eilene Antoinette |editor2-last=Macaranas |editor2-first=Edgardo |title=Mga Pangalan ng Tanggapan ng Pamahalaan sa Filipino |date=2013 |publisher=Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino|isbn=978-971-0197-22-4 |page=42 |edition=2013 |url=http://kwf.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Mga-ng-Pangalan-Tanggapan-sa-Filipino2.pdf |access-date=December 19, 2019 |language=fil}} is a government-owned and controlled corporation established in 1977 through the Presidential Decree No. 1869.{{Cite web|url=https://senate.gov.ph/lisdata/42203604!.pdf|title=FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 1 First Regular Session|date=2007|website=senate.gov.ph|access-date=May 25, 2017}} PAGCOR is the Philippines' largest contributor of revenue to the government after the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs.
PAGCOR is under the Office of the President of the Philippines.{{cite web |title=GOCC Profile - Integrated Corporate Reporting System |url=https://icrs.gcg.gov.ph/profiles/pagcor/?sector=Gaming%20Sector&keyword= |website=Integrated Corporate Reporting System |access-date=March 18, 2020}}
History
The Corporation was created during the Martial Law years by virtue of a Presidential Decree No. 1067-A issued by President Ferdinand Marcos on January 1, 1977, in response to calls for the Philippine Government to put a stop to the growing proliferation of illegal casino operations in various parts of the country then.{{cite PH act|chamber=PD|number=1067-A|title= Creating the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation, Defining Its Powers and Functions, Providing Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes | url=https://www.chanrobles.com/presidentialdecrees/presidentialdecreeno1067-A.html|website=Chan Robles Virtual Law Library|access-date=July 13, 2020 |date=January 1, 1977}}
The first casino by PAGCOR the Manila Bay Casino opened in 1977. It is a floating casino which operated on the ship MS Philippine Tourist. It was gutted by fire in 1979.{{cite news |title=Stanley Ho, Macau gambling king, 98 |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/05/27/2016811/stanley-ho-macau-gambling-king-98 |access-date=4 January 2025 |work=The Philippine Star |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=27 May 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Caña |first1=Paul John |title=Home of Beauties, Long Abandoned: Here's the Story of the Philippine Village Hotel |url=https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/philippine-village-hotel-history-a00289-20231206-lfrm?s=p76rk2as7doffmksj3pe9r1h8o |access-date=4 January 2025 |work=Esquiremag.ph |date=6 December 2023}}
PAGCOR shifted its focus to land-based casinos and entered into another contract with PCOC for the management of a casino at the Provident International and Resources Corporation (PIRC) building in Parañaque, Metro Manila.{{cite web |title=G.R. No. 132929 - Commisioner of Customs vs Court of Appeals and Philippine Casino Operators Corporation (PCOC) |url=https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2000/mar2000/gr_132929_2000.html |website=The LawPhil Project |publisher=Supreme Court of the Philippines Second Division |access-date=4 January 2025 |date=27 March 2000}}
Then, under Presidential Decree No. 1869, decreed in 1983, it was mandated to act as the government corporation conducting and establishing gaming pools and casinos in the country.{{cite PH act|chamber=PD|number=1869|title=Consolidating and Amending Presidential Decree Nos. 1067-A, 1067-B, 1067-C, 1399 and 1632, Relative to the Franchise and Powers of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)| url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1983/07/11/presidential-decree-no-1869-s-1983/|website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines|access-date=July 13, 2020 |date=July 11, 1983}}
In 1986, it was re-established and reorganized by Philippine President Corazon Aquino as a new PAGCOR to help raise funds for the government; Norberto Quisumbing was appointed as its first chairman, followed by the former Development Bank of the Philippines Chair Alicia L. Reyes as its Chair and CEO. Reyes was succeeded by Ephraim Genuino under the appointment by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2001.
In June 2007, PAGCOR gained from a piece of legislation, Republic Act No. 9487, which granted the state-run gaming firm, then under the leadership of Chairman Genuino, another 25 years to regulate and operate games of chance, to issue licenses, and to enter into joint venture, management, or investment agreements with private entities for the Entertainment City in the Manila Bay area, Parañaque, and in Newport City, Pasay, in particular.{{cite PH act|chamber=RA|number=9487|title=An Act Further Amending Presidential Decree. No. 1869, Otherwise Known as PAGCOR Charter |url=https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2007/ra_9487_2007.html |website=The LawPhil Project |access-date=March 18, 2020 |date=June 20, 2007}} Chairman Genuino successfully attracted investors to the project to put up Las Vegas-style integrated resorts. Two integrated resorts opened on November 1, 2014.
In 2016, during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, PAGCOR began regulating offshore gambling hubs under the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). Although these hubs has operated in the country since 2003.{{cite news |last1=Palatino |first1=Mong |title=China’s Clandestine Gamble in the Philippines |url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/06/chinas-clandestine-gamble-in-the-philippines/ |access-date=4 January 2025 |work=The Diplomat |date=1 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602075519/https://thediplomat.com/2020/06/chinas-clandestine-gamble-in-the-philippines/ |archive-date=2 June 2020}}
PAGCOR announced that it will launch a global-facing online casino in early 2024 under its ‘Casino Filipino’ brand.{{Cite web|url=https://gamblingindustrynews.com/news/business/pagcor-launch-global-online-casino-2024/|title=Philippines Regulator to Launch Global Online Casino in Q1 2024}}
In August 2024, Supreme Court Justice Marvic Leonen granted Yeng Guiao's 2016 mandamus nullifying the Ramos-era Pagcor memorandum. It directed the Pagcor to remit 5% of its gross income per year to PSC from 1993.{{cite news |last1= Mangaluz|first1= Jean |title=Supreme Court to PAGCOR, PCSO: Remit funds to Philippine Sports Commission|url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/08/23/2380023/supreme-court-pagcor-pcso-remit-funds-philippine-sports-commission |accessdate=August 23, 2024 |publisher= The Philippine Star|date=August 23, 2024}}
Branding
File:Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).svg
The current logo of PAGCOR was adopted on July 11, 2023 in commemoration of its 40th year anniversary.{{Cite web |last=Mendoza |first=John Eric |date=2023-07-12 |title=Pagcor's newly unveiled logo met with jeers |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1800886/pagcors-newly-unveiled-logo-met-with-jeers |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}} According to chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco:
{{Blockquote|[The] logo incorporates the element of fire associated with energy, inspiration, passion, and transformation. It symbolizes the flame that ignites change and drives progress. The logo likewise reflects a beacon which symbolizes guidance, leadership, and direction. It represents a guiding light that helps people find their way. All these taken together, [it] reflects PAGCOR's long standing commitment of being a guiding force that illuminates the way forward, drives transformation and development, and brings inspiration and motivation to the lives it touches.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pagcor.ph/press-releases/pagcor-celebrates-proud-achievements-for-the-past-40-years.php|title=PAGCOR celebrates proud achievements for the past 40 years|publisher=PAGCOR|date=July 11, 2023|access-date=January 30, 2025}}}}
The logo generated discussions and debates on social media platforms including the similar resemblance of the logo on Petron Corporation.{{Cite web |last=Malasig |first=Jeline |date=2023-07-12 |title=Petron copycat? Here's what people say about PAGCOR's new logo |url=https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2023/07/12/255559/pagcor-new-logo-petron-criticisms/ |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Interaksyon |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |author=ANCX staff |title=Memes, zingers, redesign suggestions: The best reactions to PAGCOR's viral new logo |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/07/13/23/the-internets-best-reactions-to-viral-new-pagcor-logo |website=ANC}} Nonetheless, this has not affected Pagcor's operations as it posted record high earnings of P410 billion in 2024 .{{Cite web |date=2025-02-26 |title=Meet the artist behind Pagcor's new logo that got social media fired up |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/937478/ph-gaming-sector-books-p410-5b-in-revenues-in-2024/story/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=GMAnetwork|language=en-US}}
Operations
PAGCOR operates its own casinos and several VIP slot clubs in major cities across the country. It also oversees and regulates privately owned casinos, more than 180 bingo parlors, as well as e-games cafes across the country. The company employs more than 11,000 workers.
=Casino Filipino=
File:05808jfTowers Hotel Streets Buildings Malate Manilafvf 11.jpg
Casino Filipino (CF) is a casino chain operated by PAGCOR.{{cite news |title=FAST FACTS: What you need to know about the Philippine casino industry |url=https://www.rappler.com/business/172274-philippines-casino-industry-fast-facts/ |access-date=7 March 2022 |work=Rappler |date=8 June 2017}}{{cite web |last1=O'Connor |first1=Devin |title=Philippines Reopens Borders, Casinos Ready for High Rollers |url=https://www.casino.org/news/philippines-reopening-borders-casinos-ready-foreign-high-rollers/ |website=Casino.org |publisher=CG Holdings Ltd |access-date=7 March 2022 |date=7 February 2022}}
Casino Filipino's has two main branches in Manila; in Malate and Santa Cruz. It also has major branches in Angeles City, Bacolod, Cebu City, Davao City, San Nicolas in Ilocos Norte, Iloilo City, Olongapo and Tagaytay. PAGCOR also maintains satellite casinos under the Casino Filipino brand.{{cite web |title=Branches |url=https://www.casinofilipino.ph/branches%20and%20satellites.html |website=Casino Filipino |publisher=PAGCOR |access-date=7 March 2022}}
The Airport Casino Filipino in Parañaque was a former major branch which closed in 2014.{{cite news |title=Pagcor to shut down Airport Casino Filipino |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/02/25/14/pagcor-shut-down-airport-casino-filipino |access-date=7 March 2022 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=25 February 2014}}{{cite news |last1=Remo |first1=Michelle V. |title=Pagcor closing down Airport Casino |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/580703/pagcor-closing-down-airport-casino |access-date=7 March 2022 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=26 February 2014 |language=en}}
= Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators =
{{main|Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator}}
In 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016 started the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) program under PAGCOR to allow online gambling in major cities.{{Cite book |last=Han |first=Enze |title=The Ripple Effect: China's Complex Presence in Southeast Asia |date=2024 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-769659-0 |location=New York, NY}}{{Rp|page=102}} PAGCOR issued licenses to be used for service providers to offer online gambling.{{Rp|page=102}} Most of the companies which obtained POGO licenses were Chinese, and their businesses primarily catered to the ethnic Chinese community at-large.{{Rp|page=102}}
On July 22, 2024, after President Bongbong Marcos officially banned all POGOs in the country, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) are instructed to cease all POGO operations by the end of the year.{{Cite web |title='Effective today': Marcos declares POGO bans in sona |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/07/22/2372104/effective-today-marcos-declares-pogo-ban-sona}}
Relations to the government
PAGCOR is classed as a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC). As of 2024, PAGCOR is the most profitable state-owned enterprise in the Philippines.{{Rp|page=102}} It is the third largest contributor to government revenues, following taxes and customs.{{Rp|page=102}}
List of chairpersons
- Norberto B. Quisumbing (1986)
- Alicia L. Reyes (1987–2001)
- Hildegarde A. Palacios (June-July 2001)
- Efraim C. Genuino (2001–2010)
- Cristino L. Naguiat Jr. (2010 – June 2016)
- Andrea D. Domingo (July 2016 – August 2022){{cite web|title=Andrea Dizon Domingo Resume|url=http://www.pagcor.ph/docs/resume/CEO%20Andrea%20Domingo.pdf|website=Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation|access-date=August 13, 2019}}
- Alejandro H. Tengco (August 2022–present) {{cite web | url=https://www.pagcor.ph/press-releases/new-pagcor-board-sworn-into-office.php | title=New PAGCOR board sworn into office }}
References
{{Reflist}}