Pagcor upgrades Casino Filipino properties ahead of privatization

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

State-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) is upgrading its casinos ahead of their privatization, which is set to begin in early 2026 and estimated to yield P60 billion to P80 billion.

“We have … started modernizing our Casino Filipino properties, including all our gaming facilities and equipment,” Pagcor chief Alejandro Tengco said in a briefing.

Tengco said Pagcor planned to privatize about 40 casinos under the Casino Filipino brand nationwide and will start in early 2026 as it aims to “provide a level playing field for all Pagcor stakeholders.”

READ: Pagcor to cut license fees by 2025

As part of its modernization efforts, these casinos will receive about 2,000 units of new slot machines this month.

The agency ordered a total of 3,341 new slot machines which are identical to those that are being used in the country’s top integrated resort casinos.

“Our partner lessors have started the renovation of our gaming venues and other game offerings to increase foot traffic and overall profitability of our Casino Filipino venues,” Tengco said.

Academy

Tengco also noted that as part of Pagcor’s privatization strategy, a gaming academy will be established.

The planned academy aims to enhance the professionalism within the gaming industry and meet the rising demand for skilled professionals in gaming and hospitality.

“We aim to do this by forging partnerships with Asian gaming education providers to create a consortium that caters not only to the Philippine workforce but also to all who wish to build a career in gaming in other jurisdictions,” he said.

The Pagcor gaming academy is also expected to offer  opportunities for its employees once the Casino Filipino properties are privatized.

Innovations

“With all these initiatives and preparations, we are confident that the Philippines, through Pagcor, will continue to remain at the forefront of gaming industry innovations in the Asia-Pacific region,” Tengco said.

READ: Revenues for Pagcor’s casino sector to hit P275B

Tengco expects revenues from the licensed casino sector and electronic games (e-games) to contribute P275 billion and P100 billion, respectively, in gross gaming revenues by the end of the year.

Pagcor’s GGR amounted to P89.23 billion in the second quarter, up by 32.32 percent from P67.43 billion last year.

Meanwhile, revenues of the e-games sector surged by 525 percent to P30.85 billion from P4.93 billion last year, making it the best growth performer for Pagcor. INQ