PAGCOR to launch global-facing online casino brand by early 2024
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Philippines gaming regulator PAGCOR has confirmed it will launch its own online casino in early 2024, available to players around the world under the “Casino Filipino” brand.
According to details announced by PAGCOR late Thursday, “casinofilipino.com” will launch by the first quarter of next year and employ virtual reality-based technology to simulate the sights and sounds of a physical casino, aiming to offer a realistic and immersive gaming experience.
“It will allow players to interact with the digital counterparts of traditional casino games,” said PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco.
“It will also transcend physical boundaries and will enable users from around the world to interact and participate in virtual environments. It can reach a global audience and can establish a presence in virtual communities of avid gamers. It will likewise offer an opportunity to tap into new markets and diversify its customer base.”
The PAGCOR chief added that having an online presence will “bring several benefits and opportunities such as increased revenue, extended reach and market expansion, cost efficiency and enhanced customer engagement.”
It is not clear, however, whether PAGCOR will retain ownership of “casinofilipino.com” in the long-term or offer it as part of plans to sell off its self-run casinos in the coming years.
As part of those privatization efforts, PAGCOR also confirmed it was in the process of modernizing its slot machine operations to help sustain growth momentum.
“We have already taken the preliminary steps and entered into negotiations with different manufacturers for the modernization of our slot machines,” Tengco said.
“We expect our customers to have a renewed gaming experience as we endeavor to enhance our game offerings by replacing our old machines with a total of 3,500 brand-new units of Electronic Gaming Machines under a lease agreement between PAGCOR and the manufacturer.”
The modernization plan also includes the development of the state-run gaming and regulatory firm’s Information Technology programs and systems to help finetune PAGCOR’s Casino Management System.
“This will play a pivotal role in improving PAGCOR’s casinos in terms of operational efficiency, enhancing customer experience, facilitating real-time reporting and analytics, ensuring security and fraud prevention, optimizing financial management and streamlining compliance requirements,” Tengco explained.
