Inside Asian Gaming

IAG MAY 2020年5月 亞博匯 14 亞博匯早報 BREAKFAST BRIEFS PHILIPPINES gaming regulator PAGCOR says it is losing between Php5 billion and Php6 billion (US$98 million to US$118 million) per month in revenue while the nation’s casinos remain closed. The authority announced in mid-March that it was ordering all casinos in Manila to close for one month as part of Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s community quarantine measures aimed at limiting the spread of coronavirus. Days later that closure order was extended to cover all casinos on the main island of Luzon until at least 30 April, and has since been extended again to 15 May. Providing an update on the pandemic, PAGCOR said it is losing “on average” Php5 billion to Php6 billion per month due to the enhanced community quarantine currently imposed, but reiterated its commitment to providing financial support in response to the pandemic. “We still do our best to reach out to communities which do not have access to basic needs. They deserve all the help that we can give,” said PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo. “At the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, PAGCOR immediately did its part in banning crowd gatherings through the closure order on all gaming facilities even if it meant an adverse effect on its earnings. The entire Philippine gaming industry will suffer but the people ’ s safety is of paramount importance - the employees, the customers and the public as a whole.” PAGCOR LOSING UP TO US$118 MILLION PER MONTH ON PHILIPPINES CASINO CLOSURES PAGCOR因菲賭場關閉月均損失高達1.18億美元 菲律賓 博彩監管機構PAGCOR表示，在該國賭 場關閉期間，該公司每月的收入損失約在50億 至60億披索（9,800萬美元至1.18億美元）之間。 菲律賓當局於3月中旬宣布，下令關閉馬 尼拉的所有賭場一個月，以配合菲律賓總統杜 特爾特為防範新冠病毒疫情蔓延而推行的社 區隔離政策的一部分。幾日後關閉令擴大至適 用於呂宋島上的所有賭場，先至4月30日，隨後 延長至5月15日。 PAGCOR在提供疫情的最新情況時稱，由 於目前強力實施的社區隔離政策，其每月的「 平均」損失為50億至60億披索，但重申其承諾 將致力於為防疫工作提供資金支持。 PAGCOR主席及行政總裁Andrea Domin- go表示：「我們仍在全力幫助那些無法滿足基 本需求的社區。他們理應得到我們力所能及的 所有幫助。」 「新冠疫情在國內爆發之初PAGCOR即立 刻採取行動，通過發佈關閉所有博彩設施的關 閉令從而盡可能避免人群聚集，即使這意味著 收入將遭到重創。整個菲律賓的博彩行業都遭 受了重創，但員工、客人及民眾的安全才是最 重要的。」