Asia
PAGCOR-funded evacuation and permanent housing facilities open in Batangas and Laguna

THE number of communities with permanent emergency facilities and newly-built houses continue to rise after the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) inaugurated a Multi-Purpose Evacuation Center (MPECs) in Cabuyao City, Laguna and a PAGCOR Village in Agoncillo, Batangas on December 16, 2022.
The opening of the PAGCOR Village in Barangay Coral na Munti in Agoncillo could not have come at a better time since the town is currently on Alert Level 1 status due to Taal Volcano’s increased activity.
“With Taal acting up once again, itong PAGCOR Village na natanggap natin ay malaking tulong sa ating mga kababayan upang mailayo sila sa danger zones at sa tiyak na panganib,” said Agoncillo Municipal Mayor Cinderella Reyes, who graced the inauguration of the housing project together with PAGCOR”s key officers.
Meanwhile, Asst. Vice President for Community Relations and Service Department Eric I. Balcos commended the town of Agoncillo for its efficient use of the grant. He noted that the town wasted no time in constructing the project.
“Hanga po kami sa bayan ng Agoncillo dahil sa loob ng isang taon ay natapos na ang proyekto. Pangalawa po ang Agoncillo na nakatapos out of the six towns. On behalf of our Chairman Alejandro Tengco, kami po sa PAGCOR ay lubos na nagagalak na may malilipatan na ang mga heavily affected na pamilya ng pag sabog ng Bulkang Taal,” he said.
PAGCOR also formally inaugurated the MPEC building constructed in Enterprise Park Barangay Banay-banay Cabuyao City in Laguna. The town has long been affected by severe flooding during extreme weather disturbances.
Cabuyao City Mayor Dennis Felipe Hain said having a permanent evacuation structure is very important for their city as they have a large population, which makes it challenging for the local government to accommodate all families from different communities.
“Like most neighboring towns, Cabuyao is not spared from the destruction brought about by various natural calamities. Our need for a building dedicated for evacuation purposes becomes more evident, lalo na kung napupuno ang iba pa naming pasilidad. Sa laki ng aming populasyon napakalaking tulong nito para sa aming mamamayan,” he explained.
Prior to the unveiling of the MPECs in Cabuyao City, PAGCOR also inaugurated on December 9, 2022 a two-storey evacuation structure at Barangay Plazang Luma in Arayat, Pampanga.
To date, a total of 18 MPECs have already been constructed by the state-run gaming agency nationwide.
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Asia
Thai Deputy PM Defends Entertainment Complex Bill as Shield Against US Trade Move

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has defended the Entertainment Complex Bill, set for parliamentary debate on April 9, as a vital economic measure amid rising US tariffs on Thai goods.
While opposition continues inside and outside parliament, Mr Phumtham insisted the bill’s fate should be decided through democratic processes — not protests.
The bill, which includes casino operations within an integrated entertainment complex, aims to generate significant revenue and counter the 36% US tariff hike on Thai goods — far higher than Singapore’s 10%, he said.
Mr Phumtham argued the measure would boost Thailand’s financial resilience and dismissed concerns that it promotes gambling addiction. He said strict entry rules, including age and income restrictions, would help mitigate risk.
“This isn’t about encouraging gambling — it’s about economic survival,” he said.
He urged critics to join the parliamentary debate and cited results from the government’s online public hearing held between Feb 28 and March 14, in which more than 70,000 people participated, with around 80% supporting the bill.
While acknowledging the right to protest, he warned such demonstrations should not be seen as representing the entire nation.
He said public opinion often differs from that of opposition parties and civil groups, stressing the need to respect the democratic process and let parliament decide.
The post Thai Deputy PM Defends Entertainment Complex Bill as Shield Against US Trade Move appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Asian Poker Tour Announces Cancellation of APT Manila 2025

The Asian Poker Tour has announced the cancellation of APT Manila 2025, which was scheduled to take place from May 30 to June 8, 2025, at the City of Dreams Manila.
The next scheduled APT tour stop following the upcoming APT Taipei 2025—running April 25 to May 4 with a TWD 70M (~USD 2.1M) guaranteed Main Event—will be the APT Incheon 2025; boasting a KRW 2.5M buy-in Main Event with a KRW 1.5B (~USD 1M) guarantee running August 1-10 at the Paradise Hotel & Resort.
This will be followed by the APT Jeju 2025, which boasts a KRW 2.6M buy-in Main Event with a KRW 2.2B (~USD 1.5M) prize pool guarantee and runs from September 26 to October 5 at Jeju Shinhwa World.
The 2025 APT poker schedule will conclude with the thrilling end of year APT Championship (APTC), which runs from November 14-30, 2025 at the Red Point Center’s brand new “Red Space” venue located in central Taipei.
The APTC Main Event boasts a massive TWD 165 million (~USD 5 million) prize pool guarantee – the largest the tour has ever offered.
Players can win their seat to this exciting TWD 350,000 (~USD 10,700) freezeout by competing in the tour’s three signature events—the APT Main Event, the APT High Roller and the APT Super High Roller—at each of the three remaining APT tour stops preceding the APTC.
The post Asian Poker Tour Announces Cancellation of APT Manila 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Birmingham City Forms Alliance with GOD55 as Their Official Asian Betting Partner

GOD55, a premier online gaming platform and leading operator in Southeast Asia, is proud to announce its partnership with Birmingham City Football Club as the club’s Official Asian Betting Partner.
Established in 2016, GOD55 has become one of the biggest and most trusted brands in the online gaming industry, offering a wide range of betting and entertainment options, including casino games, sports betting, and live dealer experiences. Leveraging cutting-edge technology, the platform provides users with seamless mobile and desktop access, real-time data integration, and high-quality streaming for live events.
As part of this exciting partnership, GOD55 has launched an exciting announcement film, filmed on location at Birmingham City’s St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park and Elite Performance Innovation Centre.
A spokesperson for GOD55 commented: “We are delighted to partner with Birmingham City, a club with a rich history and a dedicated global fanbase. This collaboration reflects our commitment to connecting with football enthusiasts and delivering an enhanced entertainment experience. Together, we aim to engage fans in innovative ways, celebrating the beautiful game while offering a world-class gaming platform for our users in Asia.”
Birmingham City also expressed their excitement about the partnership: “We’re thrilled to welcome GOD55 to the Birmingham City family as our Official Asian Betting Partner. This partnership highlights the club’s growing international appeal and provides an opportunity to further engage with our supporters in Asia. We look forward to working closely with GOD55 to achieve great things together.”
The post Birmingham City Forms Alliance with GOD55 as Their Official Asian Betting Partner appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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