CHAIRMAN AND CEO
PAGCOR
POWER SCORE: 588
POSITION LAST YEAR: ONES TO WATCH
CLAIMS TO FAME
- Has overhauled online gaming regulation in the Philippines
- Helped gaming income reach record highs pre-COVID
WITH THE PHILIPPINES feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as much as any place in the Asia-Pacific region, it comes as no surprise that PAGCOR’s revenues have taken a dive over the past few years.
Yet in her dual role as both regulator and gaming operator, PAGCOR chair and CEO Andrea Domingo has exhibited impressive flexibility this year in her efforts to support the local economy.
With land-based casinos facing regular closures, Domingo has turned her focus to the online sector where, amid concerns over the departure of some Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) – companies licensed to offer online gaming to overseas players – she has deployed the new PIGO scheme. PIGO, short for Philippine Inland Gaming Operators, is domestic focused and represents a major change in policy direction when it comes to offering online gambling to locals.
Domingo backed that move up by also licensing e-Sabong (online cockfighting), which had already collected US$20 million in fees from licensed operators in its first four months, and allowing three local sportsbooks to offer online services domestically.
In the meantime, the PAGCOR chief is estimating the expansion by online gaming to contribute to taxes and fees from gaming operations of around US$761 million in 2021.
For the full list of 2021 Asian Gaming Power 50 winners, click here.
