LGUs, NGOs to get bigger profits from sanctioned community bingo

The state-run Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) is increasing local government units’ (LGUs) and nongovernment organizations’ (NGOs) share of proceeds in sanctioned bingo games to boost funding for their socio-civic programs.

In a statement, Pagcor assistant vice president Maria Teresa Ocampo said the state gaming agency approved new packages allowing LGUs and NGOs to earn as much as 50 percent from proceeds of every “Bingo for a Cause” event, higher compared to the previous 40 percent.

“The revised bingo package will give our partners the option to sell tickets from as low as P100 to P1,000 each, depending on the package that they choose,” Ocampo said.

She added the proceeds would go higher still depending on ticket sales.

Ocampo, who is also the head of Pagcor’s bingo department, said the “Bingo for a Cause” program enabled communities and organizations to enjoy bingo legally while supporting meaningful initiatives.

“Like any game of chance, only Pagcor has the mandate to authorize bingo activities, hence bingo games without Pagcor’s permission are illegal,” she said.

Moreover, Ocampo reminded its partner communities and organizations to coordinate with their bingo department if they plan to organize such kinds of events.

In the second quarter, Pagcor reported a revenue increase of more than 30 percent, reaching P89 billion. Bingo contributed P4.69 billion, representing 5.26 percent of revenues. This was lower than last year’s P5.85 billion and the first quarter’s P4.81 billion.