ABOUT SIGMA ASIA

• With an eye towards new horizons, the SiGMA Group heads to Manila this year – featuring B2B and B2C brands, as well as a number of land-based exhibitors – bringing our vast network in the West closer to Asian suppliers, operators and affiliates. With endorsement from PAGCOR, the event will take place at the SMX, Manila’s largest expo centre.

Fast emerging as Asia’s leading hub for gaming, the Philippines’ gambling industry, both land-based and online, has seen rapid expansion over the last few years – with outgoing PAGCOR chairperson, Andrea Domingo leading the charge in boosting economic growth and success.

• Under her 6 year leadership PAGCOR began licensing online gaming firms who were offering their services offshore.

Crucial efforts from regulatory body PAGCOR, and strong support from the government has undoubtedly been key in cultivating strong foundations for gaming to become a competitive player in the region’s economic ecosystem. 

• While the recent pandemic hit hard, a resilient PAGCOR has been successful in offsetting the loss of revenue due to Covid-mandated shutdowns by moving to regulate domestic online gambling, making them the first country in Asia to do so.
  
• In the first 6 months of 2022, PAGCOR’s net income rose significantly to approximately P2.16 billion, compared to the P79.01 million profit recorded in the year prior.

In August 2022, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr swore in a new board at the Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corp. (PAGCOR), installing businessman and close ally Alejandro H. Tengco as chairperson. Tengco will take over from Andrea Domingo.

• With PAGCOR walking a fine line between operator and regulator, Tengco will face some tricky decisions in the months to come, including whether to move forward with plans to sell its 47 casinos. While these plans were initially shelved in the wake of the health crisis, PAGCOR now faces fresh calls to revisit the op-regulator divide.