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Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation

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"PAGCOR" redirects here. For the observation tower in Manila, Philippines, see PAGCOR Tower.

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation
Company typeState-owned
IndustryCasino
FoundedJanuary 1, 1977; 47 years ago (1977-01-01)
HeadquartersIMET BPO Tower, Roxas Boulevard, Metropolitan Park, Central Business Park 1-A, Pasay, Metro Manila
Key people
  • Alejandro H. Tengco (Chairman and CEO)[1]
  • Atty. Wilma T. Eisma (President and COO)
Number of employees
11,000+
Websitewww.pagcor.ph

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR, Filipino: Korporasyon sa Libangan at Palaro ng Pilipinas)[2] is a government-owned and controlled corporation established in 1977 through the Presidential Decree No. 1869.[3][4] PAGCOR is the Philippines' largest contributor of revenue to the government after the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs.

PAGCOR is under the Office of the President of the Philippines.[5]

History

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Logo from 1983 until 2023

The Corporation was created during the Martial Law years by virtue of a Presidential Decree No. 1067-A issued by President Ferdinand Marcos on January 1, 1977, in response to calls for the Philippine Government to put a stop to the growing proliferation of illegal casino operations in various parts of the country then.[6]

After its establishment, PAGCOR entered into a contract with Philippine Casino Operators Corporation (PCOC) for the operation of the floating casino in Manila Bay in 1977. However, after the floating casino was gutted by fire in 1979, PAGCOR shifted its focus to land-based casinos and entered into another contract with PCOC for the management of a casino at the Provident International and Resources Corporation (PIRC) building on Imelda Avenue, Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines. Then, under Presidential Decree No. 1869, decreed in 1983, it was mandated to act as the government corporation conducting and establishing gaming pools and casinos in the country.[3][4] In 1986, it was re-established and reorganized by Philippine President Corazon Aquino as a new PAGCOR to help raise funds for the government; Norberto Quisumbing was appointed as its first chairman, followed by the former Development Bank of the Philippines Chair Alicia L. Reyes as its Chair and CEO. Reyes was succeeded by Ephraim Genuino under the appointment by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2001.

The firm operates its own casinos and several VIP slot clubs in major cities across the country. It also oversees and regulates privately owned casinos, more than 180 bingo parlors, as well as e-games cafes across the country.[5] The company employs more than 11,000 workers. In June 2007, PAGCOR gained from a piece of legislation, Republic Act No. 9487, which granted the state-run gaming firm, then under the leadership of Chairman Genuino, another 25 years to regulate and operate games of chance, to issue licenses, and to enter into joint venture, management, or investment agreements with private entities for the Entertainment City in the Manila Bay area, Parañaque, and in Newport City, Pasay, in particular.[7] Chairman Genuino successfully attracted investors to the project to put up Las Vegas-style integrated resorts. Two integrated resorts opened on November 1, 2014.

On July 13, 2018, PAGCOR announced the appointment of Angeline Papica-Entienza as the head of the agency's Gaming Licensing and Development Department and as the assistant vice president of the corporation.[8]

PAGCOR announced that it will launch a global-facing online casino in early 2024 under its ‘Casino Filipino’ brand.[9]

As of 2024, PAGCOR is the most profitable state-owned enterprise in the Philippines.[10]: 102  It is the third largest contributor to government revenues, following taxes and customs.[10]: 102 

In August 2024, Supreme Court Justice Marvic Leonen granted Yeng Guiao's 2016 mandamus nullifying the Ramos-era Pagcor memorandum. It directed the Pagcor to remit 5% of its gross income per year to PSC from 1993.[11]

Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators

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In 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016 started the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) program under PAGCOR to allow online gambling in major cities.[10]: 102  PAGCOR issued licenses to be used for service providers to offer online gambling.[10]: 102  Most of the companies which obtained POGO licenses were Chinese, and their businesses primarily catered to the ethnic Chinese community at-large.[10]: 102 

On July 22, 2024, after President Bongbong Marcos officially banned all POGOs in the country, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) are instructed to cease all POGO operations by the end of the year.[12]

PAGCOR corporate identity rebranding

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On July 11, 2023, PAGCOR unveiled its new logo in commemoration of its 40th year anniversary.[13] Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco described the logo as incorporating the element of fire, which symbolizes energy, inspiration, passion, and transformation. The logo generated discussions and debates on social media platforms including the similar resemblance of the logo on Petron Corporation.[14][15]

First Woman President and COO

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On April 18, 2024, Atty. Wilma T. Eisma, PAGCOR's first woman President and Chief operating officer took her oath before Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin succeeding Juanito Sanosa Jr. who resigned in January. Eisma served as Director of the Development Bank of the Philippines in 2022 and later, as Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman and Administrator.[16]

List of chairpersons

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  • Norberto B. Quisumbing (1986)
  • Alicia L. Reyes (1987–2001)
  • Hildegarde A. Palacios (June-July 2001)
  • Efraim C. Genuino (2001–2010)
  • Cristino L. Naguiat Jr. (2010 – June 2016)
  • Andrea D. Domingo (July 2016 – August 2022)[17]
  • Alejandro H. Tengco (August 2022–present) [18]

References

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  1. ^ "PAGCOR Executives".
  2. ^ Narvaez, Eilene Antoinette; Macaranas, Edgardo, eds. (2013). Mga Pangalan ng Tanggapan ng Pamahalaan sa Filipino (PDF) (in Filipino) (2013 ed.). Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino. p. 42. ISBN 978-971-0197-22-4. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  3. ^ a b "FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 1 First Regular Session" (PDF). senate.gov.ph. 2007. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  4. ^ a b Presidential Decree No. 1869 (July 11, 1983), "Consolidating and Amending Presidential Decree Nos. 1067-A, 1067-B, 1067-C, 1399 and 1632, Relative to the Franchise and Powers of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)", Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, retrieved July 13, 2020
  5. ^ a b "GOCC Profile - Integrated Corporate Reporting System". Integrated Corporate Reporting System. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  6. ^ Presidential Decree No. 1067-A (January 1, 1977), "Creating the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation, Defining Its Powers and Functions, Providing Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes", Chan Robles Virtual Law Library, retrieved July 13, 2020
  7. ^ Republic Act No. 9487 (June 20, 2007), "An Act Further Amending Presidential Decree. No. 1869, Otherwise Known as PAGCOR Charter", The LawPhil Project, retrieved March 18, 2020
  8. ^ "PAGCOR Changes Gaming Licensing Unit Lineup - Top Casino Picks". Top Casino Picks. Archived from the original on August 10, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
  9. ^ "Philippines Regulator to Launch Global Online Casino in Q1 2024".
  10. ^ a b c d e Han, Enze (2024). The Ripple Effect: China's Complex Presence in Southeast Asia. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-769659-0.
  11. ^ Mangaluz, Jean (August 23, 2024). "Supreme Court to PAGCOR, PCSO: Remit funds to Philippine Sports Commission". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  12. ^ "'Effective today': Marcos declares POGO bans in sona".
  13. ^ Mendoza, John Eric (July 12, 2023). "Pagcor's newly unveiled logo met with jeers". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  14. ^ Malasig, Jeline (July 12, 2023). "Petron copycat? Here's what people say about PAGCOR's new logo". Interaksyon. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  15. ^ ANCX staff. "Memes, zingers, redesign suggestions: The best reactions to PAGCOR's viral new logo". ANC.
  16. ^ Simeon, Louise Maureen (April 20, 2024). "Pagcor names new president, COO". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  17. ^ "Andrea Dizon Domingo Resume" (PDF). Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  18. ^ "New PAGCOR board sworn into office".
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