Asia
PAGCOR STRENGTHENS REGULATORY CONTROLS TO MAKE THE PHILIPPINES A PRIME GAMING DESTINATION
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco discussed the agency’s plans and programs to make the Philippines a leading gaming destination in the ASEAN region.
Chairman Tengco was invited to deliver the Keynote Address on the third day of the G2E Asian IR Summit in Macau on July 13, 2023. In his speech, the PAGCOR chief expressed optimism that with the gaming regulatory reforms which the agency is undertaking, the Philippine gaming industry will be more responsive to the needs of the changing times while addressing the social ills that come with gaming operations.
The Philippine gaming industry started to bounce back as it gradually transitioned into the new normal. Following its mandate to regulate and uphold the integrity of gaming operations in the Philippines, PAGCOR generated P58.96 billion in 2022, an impressive 66.16% year-on-year increase from its P35.48 billion total income in 2021. Net income last year reached P4.45 billion, a 2,000% leap from P203.57 million recorded in 2021.
This achievement enabled the agency to fulfill its other role as the government’s partner in generating revenues for socio-civic programs by increasing its contributions to nation-building from P22.91 billion in 2021 to P34.67 billion in 2022.
In view of PAGCOR’s dual role as operator and regulator, its operations have been the subject of scrutiny by key decision makers and major gaming industry players.
Thus, since its assumption a year ago, the new PAGCOR Board of Directors has started strengthening the agency’s regulatory function and has promoted the privatization of PAGCOR-run Casino Filipino facilities. Such move will allow the corporation to grow and compete in both domestic and international markets through the infusion of new capital and advanced technologies which can facilitate expansions, upgrades and innovations.
“By focusing on its regulatory functions, PAGCOR will be able to avoid the complexities of running two different shows. It can also streamline its processes and create more revenues that will fund more high impact government projects,” Tengco said.
Before PAGCOR gaming venues are privatized, however, they will be upgraded to add value to the properties. Programs include the modernization of Information and Communication Technology and Cybersecurity infrastructure, including its Casino Management System and introduction of the Casino Filipino Online; upgrading of more than 3,000 electronic gaming machines (EGMs); and the updating of PAGCOR Technical Standards for EGMs.
To combat the proliferation of illegal gambling in the country, PAGCOR continuously coordinates with various law enforcement agencies. It has instituted reforms to address the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations which have been recently associated with crime, money laundering and corruption. It has canceled the contract entered by the previous Board with the third-party auditor for offshore gaming operations and has introduced new fees and imposed heavy fines and penalties to Licensees and Service Providers found to be engaged in criminal activities. Furthermore, accreditations were suspended and canceled and Licensees were held responsible for the conduct of their Service Providers.
Despite these, gross gaming revenue of online gaming operations is projected to reach P24 billion by the end of this year, more than double last year’s P11 billion.
Tengco stated, “We shall undertake this painstaking process to weed out the unscrupulous companies and individuals using the PAGCOR license for illegal activities, tainting the name of the whole industry and most especially the Philippines.”
PAGCOR has likewise accredited Gaming System Service Providers for Traditional Bingo, Electronic Bingo, Electronic (eCasino) Games, Sports Betting and E-Billiards. Its licensed casinos were recently allowed to use remote gaming platforms for their live casino games that cater to their registered casino players.
Currently, PAGCOR is studying the possibility of regulating other facets of the overseas gaming operations, or the possible regulation of a special class of Business Process Outsourcing.
Through closed borders during the COVID-19 pandemic, PAGCOR has evolved and continues to adapt to the changing times by licensing new gaming options within its jurisdiction and properly regulating them.
“I know much still needs to be done, but I believe that we are on the right track towards making the Philippines a prime gaming destination in the ASEAN region,” Tengco concluded.
Iveda, a global leader in AI-driven video surveillance and smart-city technologies, announced that Subic Sun Development Inc. has chosen the IvedaAI platform as the video surveillance solution for the soon-to-open Subic Sun Resort, Convention & Casino. IvedaAI was selected early in the build-out to inform camera placement and ensure frictionless integration with future-ready, AI-powered analytics. Located on the former U.S. naval base in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone—a special economic hub that hosts thousands of international and local businesses—the resort will feature 500 guest rooms, a state-of-the-art convention center, a luxury casino and two Accor-brand hotels, Ibis Styles and Mercure, scheduled to open in December 2025.
The decision comes as global resort operators sharpen their focus on safety, service and operational efficiency. The global resort market generated $347 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach nearly $945 billion by 2030, an 18.5% CAGR. IvedaAI’s AI-enabled video analytics will help property staff lower security costs, respond to incidents faster and unlock data-driven insights that boost both guest satisfaction and bottom-line performance.
“Iveda being selected as a premier security and surveillance provider before the first Subic Sun Resort guest ever checks in is a powerful endorsement of our commitment to providing state-of- the-art monitoring technology. By designing camera layouts around IvedaAI’s real-time analytics, Subic Sun can optimize coverage, reduce blind spots, and deliver safer, smoother guest experiences—without a costly equipment overhaul. We expect more ground-up projects to follow this blueprint,” said David Ly, CEO and Founder of Iveda.
Iveda Philippines—Iveda’s joint venture focused on nationwide smart-city deployment—secured the Subic Sun contract and will oversee the on-site rollout. The win represents the team’s first major hospitality project and advances its plan to generate US $3 million in smart-city revenue by FY 2026, building on the broader initiative it announced last year.
The post New Resort & Casino Selects IvedaAI for Intelligent Video Surveillance Ahead of Grand Opening appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
FUN88 Thailand, a top online gaming platform, is celebrating its 17th birthday with a special month-long event full of exciting rewards and lucky missions. The promotion, running from June 2 to 30, allows members to win amazing prizes like a 7-day trip to watch a live English Premier League Newcastle United match, a luxury Royal Oak watch, 17 spins for a special Anniversary Badge and many more guaranteed rewards.
With the theme “Play with FUN, be FUN”, FUN88 promises a fun and rewarding experience for all players.
How to take part in FUN88’s 17th birthday to win big:
• BE FUN Lucky Spin: Complete daily or event missions to earn spins. Every spin is a guaranteed win. Grand prizes include a NUFC new season football trip to England, a luxury Royal Oak watch and more.
• Daily Check-In: In the new Rewards Lobby, members who topped up in the past 7 days can check in daily for rewards up to 12,888 THB.
• Top-Up on 8th, 18th, 28th: Get 5 extra spins just by topping up on these special dates.
• Extra Missions: Try missions like Virtual Sports, SOS Insurance Slots, or join “Road to World Cup I” for even more spins.
• Anniversary Badge: Spin the BE FUN Wheel 17 times during the event and get the exclusive 17th Anniversary Badge.
All event details are available on the FUN88 Promotions page.
The post FUN88 Thailand Celebrates 17th Anniversary with 17 Spins, Rewards & Newcastle Match Trip appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Groove Technologies, a leading provider of seamless platform and aggregation solutions, made a powerful impact at SiGMA Asia 2025, solidifying its position as a key partner for businesses scaling across Asia’s booming digital economy. Held from June 1 to 4, the event provided the perfect platform for Groove to showcase its cutting-edge technology infrastructure tailored to the region’s unique demands.
Groove engaged with dozens of industry leaders, demonstrating its next-generation platform and back-office, Groove Command, which combines real-time processing, multi-currency agility, and AI-powered tools, critical features for Asia’s fast-moving markets.
The Manila event highlighted Groove’s seamless integrations with over 150 popular games studios, as well as its portfolio of over 15,000 games which is adding over 100 new games every month.
Rachel Tourgeman, Head of Partnerships at Groove Technologies, sharing insights about innovation, saying: “Asia’s online gambling landscape is evolving at lightning speed, and Groove is at the forefront, bridging gaps between local preferences and global scalability.”
Tourgeman added: “The conversations at SiGMA Asia confirmed that businesses here need a partner who understands regulatory and cultural nuances while delivering reliability. Our platform, with its data-driven recommender matching players to games, is built for exactly that.”
The event also served as a launchpad for Groove’s new Instant Tournaments Hub, announced during an exclusive networking session. This expansion underscores the company’s commitment to providing localised support for Asian enterprises navigating complex regulations.
Trusted by high-growth businesses worldwide, Groove turns iGaming complexity into a competitive edge with its blend of entertainment ecosystem expertise and technological innovation.
Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and COO of Groove Technologies, reflected on the event’s success: “SiGMA Asia 2025 wasn’t just about visibility, it was about validation. The demand for our solutions in markets like the Philippines, India, and Australia exceeded expectations. With our strengthened regional infrastructure and partnerships, Groove is poised to become the iGaming backbone for Asia’s digital growth story.”
The post Groove Strengthens Asian Market Footprint with Standout Participation at SiGMA Asia 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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