Inside Asian Gaming has released a series of photos from Manila After Dark (MAD 22), plus the official video of PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco’s welcome speech at the end.
MAD 22 was held at Okada Manila’s Luna Lounge last Wednesday 20 March, with more than 200 industry guests and dignitaries in attendance.
In his speech, Tengco outlined his confidence in the future of the Philippines gaming industry, calling for even greater foreign investment and brushing off any concerns over the potential regional impact of MGM’s Osaka integrated resort development in Japan and possible casino developments in Thailand.
“Aside from welcoming you to this evening’s event I’d like to welcome each and every person who is here tonight and tell you that this the best time to be part of the gaming industry in the Philippines,” he said.
“We have over the past few months made announcements on several new fees, new programs, new structures, and we’re doing this so that we can attract more investors to the Philippines, for stakeholders, for suppliers, we want you to be here in Manila because this is where the action will be in the next five, even 10 years.
“[People have been] asking me if the [new IR] projects in Osaka or maybe Thailand or even Cambodia will dampen the spirits of Manila. My basic answer is it never will, primarily because they will only be able to open, maybe, in the next decade. I’m talking 2030 at the earliest.
“There is so much time for the Philippines to be able to strengthen itself to become one of the pioneering jurisdictions of gaming in the Asia Pacific region. I believe these next few years will be very, very exciting for the Philippine gaming industry so i welcome you not only to MAD 22 but I welcome each and every one of you on behalf of PAGCOR to be part of the Philippine gaming industry.”
Inside Asian Gaming thanks all of our generous sponsors for the event, including Venue Sponsor Okada Manila, Platinum Sponsor Light & Wonder, and Gold Sponsors Aristocrat, Evolution, FBM and IGT.
Macau After Dark (MAD 23) will take place this Tuesday 26 March 2024 at Sofitel at Ponte 16.