Asia

Newly-Built PAGCOR-Funded Evacuation Facilities in Cagayan Province Inaugurated

Published

2 years ago

March 13, 2023

Three municipalities in the province of Cagayan became the latest beneficiaries of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s (PAGCOR) Multi-Purpose Evacuation Center (MPEC) project after the state-run gaming agency inaugurated the newly-constructed facilities on March 10 and 11, 2023.

The PAGCOR-funded basketball-court type multi-purpose facilities worth P12.7 million each were formally unveiled in the towns of Amulong, Solana and Penablanca.

In the municipality of Solana, the evacuation facility built in the flood-prone barangay Malalam-Malacabibi was already used as a temporary shelter last October after the gates of Magat Dam were opened to release water following the onslaught of Tropical Storm Paeng.

According to Solana Municipal Mayor Jennalyn Carag, despite being partially completed, the PAGCOR-funded evacuation facility already provided safe refuge to 80 families from low-lying communities in their town.

“When Tropical Storm Paeng hit us, the water level in Magat Dam rose. There are barangays in our town that have been isolated, such as barangay Dasun, Bauan and Malalam-Malacabibi. Even when this evacuation center was just being built, it has already given us a lot of help,” said Carag.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

In the town of Penablanca, PAGCOR’s evacuation facility was built in the remote barangay of Minanga, which is almost two hours away from the town center and has no access to telecommunication. The community’s mountainous location and partly unpaved roads make it challenging for the local government to deliver swift aid to locals whenever they are affected by natural disasters.

“In recent years, we have been tested by various calamities like that only widespread flooding here in the province of Cagayan in 2020,” Penablanca Mayor Washington Taguinod said. “This was followed by another widespread flooding in 2021 and, in 2022, we felt the strength of the earthquake that hit the Ilocos region. The establishment of this PAGCOR evacuation center in Minanga barangay became our priority because of its distance from the population. This is a non-telco area, which means it is difficult for residents to seek immediate help when a disaster occurs.”

With the completion of the PAGCOR-funded evacuation center in the far-flung barangay Minanga, Taguinod said that the locals, including the indigenous peoples living at the foot of Sierra Madre, will be assured of a safe shelter as well as a venue where the local government can download relief goods and other basic government services in times of disasters.

Meanwhile, Amulong Municipal Mayor Elpidio Rendon also expressed his gratitude to PAGCOR for giving the vulnerable sectors of their community a secure evacuation shelter during calamities.

“In Amulong, we have identified typhoons, landslides, drought and flood as major hazards. The flood alone affects 17 of the 47 barangays. This situation pushes us to raise the adaptive capabilities of our communities that are exposed to flooding. This evacuation center will be of great help to the vulnerable members of our community, such as the elderly, children and pregnant women, especially during the onslaught of natural disasters,” said Rendon.

PAGCOR’s Vice-President for Corporate Social Responsibility Group, Ramon Stephen Villaflor, who graced the inauguration of the evacuation facilities in Cagayan, explained that instead of constructing a two-story building, the state-run gaming firm provided funding for four basketball-court type multi-purpose facilities in towns that are most vulnerable to flooding.

Besides Amulong, Solana and Penablanca, the town of Iguig also received a basketball-court type evacuation facility. Final inspection of the project in Iguig was already conducted.

Meanwhile, apart from the province of Cagayan, PAGCOR also recently inaugurated two-story multi-purpose evacuation centers worth P50 million each in the towns of Floridablanca and Candaba in Pampanga. Over 200,000 residents from said municipalities stand to benefit from the modern and spacious buildings. To date, a total of 24 MPECs have been completely built and inaugurated nationwide while 53 are still undergoing construction.

Asia

ZITRO TO SHOWCASE CONCEPT CABINET LINE AND NEW GAMES AT G2E ASIA 2025

Published

1 day ago

April 23, 2025

George Miller

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As excitement builds for G2E Asia 2025, Zitro is set to make a powerful statement with the debut of its all-new CONCEPT cabinet line alongside a portfolio of new, tailor-made game titles designed specifically for the Asian gaming market. This year’s lineup reflects Zitro’s continued evolution as a key player in gaming innovation, offering both cutting-edge hardware and captivating content.

Among the titles on display will be Legendary Sword, Triple Charm Journey, Fairyland Quest, King Fu Frog, Merging Fu Pots, Lucky Vaulty, and Cash Totems—each developed with exciting features, enhanced with rich narratives, and high-quality multimedia to elevate player engagement across diverse markets.

Zitro’s rising influence in Asia is evident. The company’s recent expansion in the Philippines—where Zitro’s slot games are among the top performers in casinos within Entertainment City—underscores its rapid success in the region.

“We are proud to showcase our latest innovations at G2E Asia 2025,” said Sebastián Salat, President International of Zitro. “Our commitment to the Asian market remains steadfast, and we are confident that our player-centric products—crafted with deep understanding of the region’s vibrant gaming culture—will resonate with both operators and players. The introduction of our CONCEPT cabinet line and ambitious 2025 game release roadmap in place marks a new chapter for Zitro in this market, and we look forward to sharing it with the Asian gaming community.”

The post ZITRO TO SHOWCASE CONCEPT CABINET LINE AND NEW GAMES AT G2E ASIA 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Asia

NOVOMATIC Announces New Strategic Distribution Partnership with Harvest Gaming

Published

1 day ago

April 23, 2025

Niji Narayan

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NOVOMATIC has announced a new strategic distribution partnership with Harvest Gaming, a renowned company based in Singapore. This new venture marks an important step in NOVOMATIC’s strategy of expanding its presence across Asia and reinforces the Group’s long-term commitment to international growth through strong regional collaborations.

Under the new agreement, Harvest Gaming will represent NOVOMATIC’s leading portfolio of land-based gaming solutions in Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam. With its in-depth market knowledge, excellent industry relations, and a customer-focused approach, Harvest Gaming is ideally positioned to support NOVOMATIC’s growth and deliver tailored solutions to local operators.

“We are delighted to partner with Harvest Gaming in order to strengthen our footprint in Southeast Asia. Their deep understanding of the regional markets and dedication to supporting our customers make them excellent representatives of the NOVOMATIC brand. This partnership will allow us to serve operators in Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam better with our tailored, high-performance gaming solutions,” Michael Barsin of NOVOMATIC Sales said.

“We are proud to be appointed as NOVOMATIC’s distributor for this important region. NOVOMATIC is globally recognized for its innovation, quality, and reliability – values that perfectly reflect our own business philosophy. We look forward to working closely with the NOVOMATIC team to support our customers and drive mutual growth in Southeast Asia,” Alfred Hwee, General Manager at Harvest Gaming, said.

This new partnership further expands NOVOMATIC’s global distribution network and enhances the Group’s ability to meet the specific needs of customers in one of the most dynamic regions of the international gaming industry.

The post NOVOMATIC Announces New Strategic Distribution Partnership with Harvest Gaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Asia

NOVOMATIC: Showcasing cutting-edge gaming innovations for the Asian market at G2E Asia 2025

Published

1 day ago

April 23, 2025

George Miller

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Visitors to the NOVOMATIC booth #A518B will experience a portfolio designed to meet diverse operator needs, featuring the latest cabinets, game mixes, and electronic table games that exemplify NOVOMATIC’s ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation.

New highlights and classic favorites await

This year, NOVOMATIC’s booth will spotlight a dynamic selection of state-of-the-art products, with a focus on enhancing the player experience and maximizing operator performance. The DIAMOND X™ series returns with significant upgrades to its sophisticated design and powerful performance, presenting: DIAMOND X™ 1.55J QUATTRO featuring XTENSION LINK™ Volume 3, XTENSION LINK™ Volume 4, and the all-new XTENSION LINK™ Evolution. The multi-screen version DIAMOND X™ 2.32/3.32 equipped with GAMINATOR™ X5, will deliver a rich selection of entertaining game titles.

Additionally, the BLACK EDITION II series will make a remarkable appearance with BLACK EDITION II XL 2.32/3.32 showcasing the popular IMPERA LINK™ Series 2 and BLACK EDITION II 1.49J featuring both Impera PROLINK™ and the latest RISING TREASURES™. New releases will be complemented by proven classics such as MASTER SL™ 2.32/3.32 featuring the GAMINATOR™ X5.

Innovative solutions to enhance operational efficiency

Among the highlights of NOVOMATIC’s presentation will be the NOVO UNITY™ PRO, a state-of-the-art electronic table game solution with unprecedented functionality and adaptability. This ETG solution seamlessly integrates electronic live games – including Sic Bo, Baccarat, Roulette, Poker, Black Jack, and even slot games – across numerous player stations. The key benefits include customization for unique gaming experiences, the advanced management console & NOVO UNITY™ DB server as well as Tournament Mode and Simultaneous Betting/Parallel Play – where players can take part in up to three live games simultaneously, enhancing interactivity and engagement. Extra game windows on the betting screen enable guests to switch between the available games and versions.

Also on display will be the NOVOVISION™ Casino Management System, with its comprehensive suite of modules that include powerful loyalty features, TITO, cashless or single wallet solutions, advanced biometric functionalities and much more. From player recognition to secure access solutions, NOVOVISION™ sets a new standard for an efficient and secure gaming management.

Engage, experience, and innovate at G2E Asia 2025

Kenan Bajram, Deputy Director Global Sales at NOVOMATIC AG, highlights the company’s enthusiasm for the event: “G2E Asia is a key platform for NOVOMATIC to demonstrate our latest innovations to the Asian market. This year, we are excited to present a diverse portfolio of cutting-edge solutions that cater to the specific needs of our customers. From the DIAMOND X™ series to the innovative NOVO UNITY™ PRO, our showcase is designed to inspire and impress. We look forward to welcoming visitors to our booth and sharing our latest advancements.”

Visit NOVOMATIC at Booth #A518B during G2E Asia 2025 to discover the future of gaming technology, tailored specifically for the Asian market.

The post NOVOMATIC: Showcasing cutting-edge gaming innovations for the Asian market at G2E Asia 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.