PAGCOR waiting for the approval to reopen land-based casinos.

[plvbob0070]

After 2 months of strict quarantine in the Philippines, PAGCOR (Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corporation) submitted an approval to resume land-based gaming to IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force). Last month they submitted the request including the proposed safety guidelines to follow by the operators.

Last March when the Philippines started its ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) where most businesses have closed, and only essential businesses remain. While the start of June, they lifted the lockdown to GCQ (General Community Quarantine) were workers and employees can go back to work and the opening of some businesses. For the whole 2 months of ECQ, most businesses have no income, same with casinos. Until now, casinos are closed and gambling is still banned in the country to avoid crowded places.

Now, PAGCOR revealed that they submitted a request to resume the operations of land-based casinos. They included safety protocols such as;
-wearing of face masks
-strict compliance of social distancing
-limiting the capacity of not more than 50% to both table games and EGMs
-preventing standing bettors or loitering in the gaming areas.  

The possible date for re-opening is June 16 when GCQ restrictions come under further review.

Some land-based casinos have already shown their preparations for the possible reopening of casinos. Safety measures include regular disinfecting of equipment, thermal scanning, sanitation mats, and more. Big casinos are being monitored, waiting if they are planning to re-open soon.

This is good news for gamblers who badly want to gamble if they allowed the reopening of casinos. But knowing the correct situation, our country has already almost 19,000 positive cases, they might reject this request. And if ever they will reopen land-based casinos, perhaps only high-class people can gamble because lower-class gamblers don't gamble in a big casino. Personally, I don't know if they will approve this request or not because unlike the gamblers, the public will probably don't want to reopen casinos.

Do you think it's safe to reopen land-based gaming knowing that the cases are still increasing by hundreds every day?

Source:

Code:

https://pokercastasia.com/2020/06/02/pagcor-waiting-for-approval-from-iatf-for-covid19-to-resume-land-base-operations/

[swogerino]

Even where I am everything has been opened since 1st of June but unfortunately the number of infected people has been somewhat on the rise and I think this is normal.I think it is Ok to open everything even casinos but the thing every government needs to emphasize the most now is making people aware that the virus is still around us because the people think now everything is safe since we opened everything.

[avikz]

Do you think it's safe to reopen land-based gaming knowing that the cases are still increasing by hundreds every day?

Firstly, I have looked into some statistics from Google.

Philippines population: 105 million approx
Covid patient found till date: 18,997 (approx 0.018% of entire population)
Death: 966 (approx 5.1% of total infected)

I don't think it makes sense to stop operating businesses at this situation. As per the number, Philippines has done great in containing the virus. So I believe the casinos and other business should be allowed to start operating again. Then I look at the Google charts of daily infection trend. See below,



This data certainly doesn't give a good picture because the number of infection is rising on daily basis in Philippines. At this time, if non-essential businesses are allowed to operate, that would cause additional risks to the public health.

My conclusion:
Even though the infection percentage is pretty low and the number of deaths are also low, looking at the current trends doesn't really give confidence for non-essential businesses to operate. I believe Philippines will have to wait for more time unless the number of infection subsides. If it's a question of government revenue, Philippines government should consider promoting online casinos as an alternative.

[Bttzed03]

~ Do you think it's safe to reopen land-based gaming knowing that the cases are still increasing by hundreds every day?

Nobody is safe but the national government needs the huge revenue that will be generated from both land-based and online casinos. The case in most countries now is to prioritize health concerns, keep businesses close and let the economy drop even more OR take the health risks, open businesses for the economy to slowly recover.

Judging by the news that the number health facilities that will handle infected patients increased in the past two months, I think the reopening will be approved. Let's just hope that the safety measures will be strictly implemented.

~ If it's a question of government revenue, Philippines government should consider promoting online casinos as an alternative.

It's about revenue. It was a controversial topic in our local media (mainstream/social) before but POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) were allowed to reopen partially.

[cryptoaddictchie]

Even though the infection percentage is pretty low and the number of deaths are also low, looking at the current trends doesn't really give confidence for non-essential businesses to operate. I believe Philippines will have to wait for more time unless the number of infection subsides.

Agree with this. The country cant able to produce a flat line result for the infection. Allowing the operations of casino would only result to non stop new cases.

If the article is right and some land based casino are preparing then its gonna be a lot of a mess. I am sad with the fact that government lower the ECQ to GCQ allowing some of the companies and employees go to their work. Not because I dont want them to have money for a living but the sacrifices of frontliners were means nothing cause this decision will only surely increase cases definitely.

So better not to open those land based casino at all until there are some improvements seen on the results.

[Ucy]

Well, am abit careful with the words used on the post, so I wouldn't approve if the purpose of opening in a crisis time like this is to "gamble".
I don't see anything wrong with gaming though, as long as the games are safe and players bet responsibily(and not gamble). Gambling esp in crisis period doesn't sound right to me
Hope the safety measures are sufficient.

[bisdak40]

Now, PAGCOR revealed that they submitted a request to resume the operations of land-based casinos. They included safety protocols such as;
-wearing of face masks
-strict compliance of social distancing
-limiting the capacity of not more than 50% to both table games and EGMs
-preventing standing bettors or loitering in the gaming areas.  

There's a high chance that these land-based casinos will operate soon because they are one of the biggest tax contributor in the Philippines but i doubt gamblers are itching to go to the casinos as of this time because of the risk involve. Gamblers are there for leisure not essentials so i think they would stay home until there is vaccine for this COVID-19.

[Maus0728]

This data certainly doesn't give a good picture because the number of infection is rising on daily basis in Philippines. At this time, if non-essential businesses are allowed to operate, that would cause additional risks to the public health.

Here is the official website of the Department of Health in our country; this will give you an accurate statistics regarding the cases of viral outbreak.
[1] https://www.doh.gov.ph/2019-ncov/

*This is not updated*

Looking at the graph, there are still a large number of people who has not yet been tested and this implies that allowing mass gatherings will surely compromise the healthy safety of the people. In fact, we don't have any control of governments' verdict whether they allow them or not. If in turn they allow this; a strict compliance to guidelines must be enforced.

The sad thing is, there is a decrease of fun and enjoyment inside these land based casino, there is nothing we can do but to adopt "New nomal" until there is a vaccine.

[Rosilito]

Even though the infection percentage is pretty low and the number of deaths are also low, looking at the current trends doesn't really give confidence for non-essential businesses to operate. I believe Philippines will have to wait for more time unless the number of infection subsides.

Agree with this. The country cant able to produce a flat line result for the infection. Allowing the operations of casino would only result to non stop new cases.

Yeah, it will generate new more cases no matter how strict the protocols, no matter how the citizens/gamblers abide the guidelines it will only just end up to new more infections not unless the country had already done the mass testing the government promised. Those numbers and statistics isn't totally certain as there were numerous people that I'm quite sure have been carrying the virus yet been left unchecked.

If by chance mass testing have been done, and right away isolation to those people who showed a positive result, suspicious one who have been in-contact as well. And a major change occurs within those numbers, then it is somehow safe to say and/or to decide whether the operation of land-based casino should be allowed given that the number of cases the country has, is almost close to being precise.

Bottom line, allowing those casino isn't a good idea for now not unless the country isn't blind with the number of cases anymore.

[mu_enrico]

Do you think it's safe to reopen land-based gaming knowing that the cases are still increasing by hundreds every day?

If proper safety measures are seriously conducted, then I think it lowers the risk. However, it's not 100% safe.
Safety is not the main concern with this "new normal" stuff since people will be safest if they remain at home. But, the economy must recover so people can earn money and meet their daily needs. It's inevitable after the shutdown failed to eradicate the virus since so many workers depend on the casino/tourism to make a living.

[imstillthebest]

Do you think it's safe to reopen land-based gaming knowing that the cases are still increasing by hundreds every day?

If proper safety measures are seriously conducted, then I think it lowers the risk. However, it's not 100% safe.
Safety is not the main concern with this "new normal" stuff since people will be safest if they remain at home. But, the economy must recover so people can earn money and meet their daily needs. It's inevitable after the shutdown failed to eradicate the virus since so many workers depend on the casino/tourism to make a living.

yes there is based on what i read above so im with them.  other than that  , i also see a graph above that shows that ph country were now improving  in terms of recoveries from covid  . that only means that people are now learning on how to protect thier selves with strict security measures  and we can assure that they will follow simple and strict rules  that are given to them  .  gamblers wont only benefit on this opening but most of all the workers  . they can earn now .

[Janation]

This is just mad.

They know that the cases are still increasing, they implemented GCQ, a lot of testings are having a problem, they are submitting the anti-terror bill that just makes them like crybabies being scared and afraid of being told by media and social accounts. They have the nerve on focussing on this bill rather than focussing on the pandemic, and since they can't stop the increasing cases, they will just turn a blind eye to it and return to normal. And when they are asked about it, they will say that the people wanted it, so they went with it. In the end, their ego is more important than their people.

[acroman08]

I know that the government gets a lot of tax from the gambling industry but I don't think it is worth to risk the lives of the workers especially when the infection rate hasn't decreased at all and commuting from home to work is very hard and commuters will be in contact with a lot of people where proper social distancing is not being properly implemented and the possibility of getting infected by the virus is extremely high.

[Baofeng]

Actually when Duterte eases out the lockdown this June 1, the first thing I didn't it so check one of the casino's here and see if there are some updates are whether these casino's are going to open or not, fortunately, there's not as of yet.

However, being a landbase player, I wouldn't put the risk in playing even after PAGCOR will give the go signal to re-open the big 3, RW (Resorts World) , COD (City of Dreams) and Solaire Resort and Casino. Of course I missed the environment, but no thanks, will prefer to play online for now until the Covid-19 has flatten the curve in the Philippines.

[FlightyPouch]

Well, all of the places with the risk of getting the virus is under GCQ now, no need to talk about this, they would gladly say yes to this since they are wanting to take care of the economy and not their people. I agree that they should consider this greatly as there are still hundreds and hundreds of new cases adding up every day but I think it is in favor to them since there are a lot of people that agree with extrajudicial killings that is happening.

[batang_bitcoin]

The economy is affected and casinos are huge contributors in most countries that allows it. They have no choice but to submit the operations to be back again but IATF is the one to decide if they will allow it to re-operate. It isn't an essential so they might decline the request.
But, if there's already a date for the reopening then there's a possibility that this has already been guaranteed and just for the sake of reports and formality, they're telling it to the medias.

[chaser15]

I don't see why others are against this. What's the difference between opening these land-based casinos while every other establishment is now open for services? An establishment that way more lots of people such as malls, restaurants, markets, grocery, department stores, and many more.

If the concern is the affection, then why shift into GCQ? Why other businesses with more people allowed to open? Lockdown for several months should be imposed. Are people can able to handle that long? Definitely no.

Land-based casinos under PAGCOR are highly strict. People can't just go inside or for a much better term, common people aren't allowed. You need to show you are capable of playing there. Therefore, if the strict capacity limit will be imposed then the social distancing will be followed properly compare to other establishments. Their safety measure is much more strict compare to others.

Other care for gamblers but didn't concern of other people who are going every day on those large establishments that are allowed to open lol. Land-based casinos might not be an essential establishment to others but they also have employees that need to go back on work. PAGCOR needs to operate again even by slowly. Revenues came from their operations are being used to fund the government's projects and works e.g charity, social welfare, etc.

[bittraffic]

Studies show that the corona strand in the Philippines isn't a killer as much as the strand in some countries like Brazil.  It may not be safe because once the patient has a weak heart and respiratory system, the patient will eventually experience the hard breathing so they might have to implement strict measures like checking the health of their customers and even the casino workers.

[Oilacris]

This is good news for gamblers who badly want to gamble if they allowed the reopening of casinos. But knowing the correct situation, our country has already almost 19,000 positive cases, they might reject this request. And if ever they will reopen land-based casinos, perhaps only high-class people can gamble because lower-class gamblers don't gamble in a big casino. Personally, I don't know if they will approve this request or not because unlike the gamblers, the public will probably don't want to reopen casinos.

This doesnt only talk in PH alone but also in other places as well where they do even having that ECQ or GCQ whatsoever where they do still continue to
open up the public in spite of the spreading virus and take it as an example which is currently happening in Japan where they dont impose any quarantine-like
but just simply depending on discipline into its citizens and still continue into their normal living.

Answering if its worth to re-open those gambling physical places then as long they do follow up that new protocol then i wouldnt see it as a problem though
and come to think that even malls are already opened which it is actually the same since both do generate crowd.

[dothebeats]

Given that most casinos are situated within the capital region where most of the infection occurred, I don't think it's a good idea for PAGCOR to consider reopening gambling establishments for the sake of the economy. The risks are far greater than the rewards, and might even force the government to install yet another series of enhanced community quarantines in the region where it is most affected, and people can no longer afford that.

I don't see why others are against this. What's the difference between opening these land-based casinos while every other establishment is now open for services? An establishment that way more lots of people such as malls, restaurants, markets, grocery, department stores, and many more.

The establishments you've mentioned are closely-monitored by local government officials and strict implementation of the guidelines proposed by IATF is always observed. Also, these are essential establishments that people need to go in order to get their supplies and food, so your point is moot. Gambling establishments with closed-air ventilation (most of them are) are giant petri dishes of virus that can potentially initiate a super-spreader event just like what happened in South Korea.

If the concern is the affection, then why shift into GCQ? Why other businesses with more people allowed to open? Lockdown for several months should be imposed. Are people can able to handle that long? Definitely no.

Exactly, that's why the economy is slowly but gradually being reopened with important businesses being prioritized first. Casinos are establishments which most people can live without, therefore not really important to take some hastened reopening.

Land-based casinos under PAGCOR are highly strict. People can't just go inside or for a much better term, common people aren't allowed. You need to show you are capable of playing there. Therefore, if the strict capacity limit will be imposed then the social distancing will be followed properly compare to other establishments. Their safety measure is much more strict compare to others.

Jokes on you, high-ranking government officials and people of all sorts can enter these fancy casinos provided that you just dress nicely. You don't even have to show money in order to get in. Also, the virus does not discriminate between rich people and the commoners, so this argument shouldn't even be put forth.

Other care for gamblers but didn't concern of other people who are going every day on those large establishments that are allowed to open lol. Land-based casinos might not be an essential establishment to others but they also have employees that need to go back on work. PAGCOR needs to operate again even by slowly. Revenues came from their operations are being used to fund the government's projects and works e.g charity, social welfare, etc.

[/quote]

Again, casinos promote mass gatherings of unimportant matters. People hold things in there that are necessary for their gambling exploits which could pass the virus more often than they can even blink. I get the sentiment that casino employees are currently out of revenues since the lockdowns were imposed but aren't most of the citizens on the same page? For now, most people will agree that physical casinos are UNIMPORTANT to our society given the situation. They bring in revenue but are revenues more important than public welfare and health safety? I think not. It's great if people will actually follow the guidelines strictly, but most of it will be forgotten inside a place wherein anyone thinks only of one thing and one thing only: winning the jackpot.