Casinos in the Philippines reported gross gaming revenue of Php45.40 billion (US$912.6 million) in the three months to 31 March 2020, a 13.6% decline on the same quarter in 2019 due to the impact of COVID-19 according to figures published by gaming regulator PAGCOR this week.
The reduced revenue comes after PAGCOR ordered all gaming operations in Manila to suspend operations on 15 March, followed by those across the nation’s main island of Luzon two days later.
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As a result, total industry GGR in 1Q20, including electronic gaming sites, was Php52.40 billon (US$1.05 billion), down 12.8% year-on-year.
Manila’s Entertainment City IRs contributed the majority of casino revenue nationwide at Php33.46 billion (US$672.6 million), a 16.0% decline, while PAGCOR-operated casinos reported GGR of Php7.61 billion (US$153 million), down from Php9.43 billion.
Clark casinos bucked the trend, with gross gaming revenue climbing 38.6% year-on-year to Php3.90 billion (US$78.4 million), aided by the opening of D’Heights and Fortunegate which saw the number of gaming tables in operation across the Clark Freeport Zone climb from 179 to 296 and EGMs from 855 to 1,763.
Revenue from POGOs also grew by 34.9% to Php1.81 billion (US$36.4 million).
Gaming operations across the Philippines continue to face substantial closures, with only four remote regions given permission to resume operations due to the implementation of Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) measures. Metro Manila currently remains under General Community Quarantine (GCQ).
