PAGCOR hopes to collect at least Php 2.5 billion from POGOs until the end of this year
Collection for this year is lower than what the agency collected for 2019
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is hoping to collect at least Php 2.5 billion (US$50 million) from the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) until the end of this year.
“We hope to be able to, at least for the year, collect…about P3 billion – P2.5 billion more” from POGOs, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo said at SiGMA Asia Focus digital conference on Tuesday.
Andrea Domingo said PAGCOR hopes to be able to collect P2.5 billion by the end of the year.Domingo further expressed that to generate more funds, she hopes that POGOs resume their operations in June.
Collection for this year is lower than what the agency collected for 2019. Last year, Php 5.73 billion (US$114.6 million) was collected from POGO gaming taxes, application and processing fees. For first quarter of this year, collection came at Php 1.8 billion (US$36 million).
Early last month, the agency allowed resumption of operations for POGOs after compliance to guidelines sent out by PAGCOR, which includes payment of taxes and dues to the agency and the government. To date, POGOs are in the process of concluding the requirements to be able to operate again.
Philippine authorities, in coordination with PAGCOR, has been arresting illegal online casino operators, now dubbed as non-registered offshore gaming operators or NOGOs during the start of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in the whole of Metro Manila. PAGCOR is fully supporting the Philippine National Police, Department of Justice Cyber Crime Division and the Bureau of Immigration in the crackdown against the NOGOs and arrest of personnel, local and foreign, behind these illegal gaming activities.
Meanwhile, land-based casinos in the country are preparing to reopen as soon as the government announces easing the quarantine restrictions. At present, Metro Manila, where the bulk of the integrated resorts are located, is under the General Community Quarantine status, which still does not allow resumption of operations for casinos and other entertainment venues.
