The respective operators of three of the largest casino resorts in the Philippines have issued a joint statement saying they operate with the highest standards of integrity and transparency, and in compliance with the country’s laws and regulations.
The statement was issued by: Bloomberry Resorts Corp, which runs Solaire Resort & Casino at Entertainment City in Manila, and Solaire Resort North complex in Quezon City; Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment Inc, operator of the Okada Manila property; and Travellers International Hotel Group Inc, owner of the Newport World Resorts casino complex.
The three casino firms also run online gaming operations, including remote gambling and digital gaming platforms. In June, Bloomberry launched its online gaming platform, dubbed “MegaFUNalo”.
“Our online gaming operations are a regulated and responsibly managed extension of our operations – designed to complement our primary offerings,” said the three operators in the statement.
“We prioritise ethical business practices and promote responsible gaming under the robust regulation of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor),” they added.
The joint statement was issued amid a growing chorus of voices in the Philippines calling for changes to the online gaming sector, ranging from tighter restrictions on access to digital gambling platforms, to additional taxes, and a ban on the use of electronic wallets (e-wallets) for gambling purposes. There have even been calls for a complete ban.
The three casino firms said they respectively “hold all necessary licences and accreditations” from Pagcor, “meeting stringent legal requirements for gaming operators and system administrators”.
“We also strictly enforce Pagcor’s geographic restrictions, employing advanced geofencing and IP-filtering technologies to prevent player registration and betting from outside the Philippines,” they stated.
The firms additionally said their online platforms adhere to anti-money laundering regulations via comprehensive know-your-customer (KYC) procedures and player verification measures.
“We actively promote responsible gaming through tools such as self-exclusion, deposit limits and account restrictions. We strictly prohibit minors from accessing our platform through our stringent age-gating system and verification,” the statement read.
“We likewise offer resources for individuals seeking assistance with gambling-related issues,” the firms added.
The casino operators also pointed out that all their gaming equipment and games undergo rigorous evaluation and receive approval from the nation’s regulator. Certified random number generators (RNGs) “ensure fairness and transparency,” they said.
The companies observed that their promotional materials “undergo thorough review and approval from Pagcor and the Advertising Standards Council, ensuring ethical communication and social responsibility”.
Last week, the head of Pagcor, Alejandro Tengco, suggested that the answer to concerns about online gambling within the country was tighter control, not a total ban. The agency nonetheless has ordered the removal, by August 15, of all billboards and other out-of-home advertisements related to gambling activities.
In mid-June, Pagcor launched its “PAGCOR Guarantee” website, where the public can check the legitimacy of the online gaming platforms they are accessing.
The promoter of the City of Dreams Manila complex in the Philippine capital, a unit of global casino operator Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd, does not run online gaming operations in the country.
