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

[sheenshane]

It may be a problem for other people because it will be risky to open casinos during the pandemic but it is said that 132,000 employees will benefit once they reopen casino operations. Let's just hope that once they will finally open, it won't cause more positive cases in the country.

It's quite risky to the people but there are millions of our fellow countrymen that have lost their jobs since pandemic has come. Now, we need to fight the possible recession, even though there's no unclear vaccine of the said virus but we need to continue to gain revenue in order to survive our economy.

That is "NEW NORMAL", they/we should adopt this now, they should follow on what pandemic protocol has been implemented and I think PAGCOR reopening is very crucial to us but we need to fight it for survival.

[Sanitough]

It may be a problem for other people because it will be risky to open casinos during the pandemic but it is said that 132,000 employees will benefit once they reopen casino operations. Let's just hope that once they will finally open, it won't cause more positive cases in the country.

It's quite risky to the people but there are millions of our fellow countrymen that have lost their jobs since pandemic has come. Now, we need to fight the possible recession, even though there's no unclear vaccine of the said virus but we need to continue to gain revenue in order to survive our economy.

That is "NEW NORMAL", they/we should adopt this now, they should follow on what pandemic protocol has been implemented and I think PAGCOR reopening is very crucial to us but we need to fight it for survival.

The government has to find a way to generate income, and this is a way to help them generate funds.
Philippines is not a rich country, a lot of people are just relying on the government's aid, and it's the duty of the government to fulfill that task, without funds they would not be able to do their task. We can't deny that big part of the government income are coming from gambling, in fact that is the reason they already open POGO.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/5/1/POGO-operations-resume-community-quarantine.html

Gov't allows POGOs to partially reopen amid community quarantine

This news was posted last May 1, 2020, so probably they are fully open now.

[Twinkledoe]

It may be a problem for other people because it will be risky to open casinos during the pandemic but it is said that 132,000 employees will benefit once they reopen casino operations. Let's just hope that once they will finally open, it won't cause more positive cases in the country.

It's quite risky to the people but there are millions of our fellow countrymen that have lost their jobs since pandemic has come. Now, we need to fight the possible recession, even though there's no unclear vaccine of the said virus but we need to continue to gain revenue in order to survive our economy.

That is "NEW NORMAL", they/we should adopt this now, they should follow on what pandemic protocol has been implemented and I think PAGCOR reopening is very crucial to us but we need to fight it for survival.

The government has to find a way to generate income, and this is a way to help them generate funds.
Philippines is not a rich country, a lot of people are just relying on the government's aid, and it's the duty of the government to fulfill that task, without funds they would not be able to do their task. We can't deny that big part of the government income are coming from gambling, in fact that is the reason they already open POGO.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/5/1/POGO-operations-resume-community-quarantine.html

Gov't allows POGOs to partially reopen amid community quarantine

This news was posted last May 1, 2020, so probably they are fully open now.

Now, it is up to the gamblers if they are willing to take the risk. They already know the possible consequences if they get in and mingle with other players. So basically, the risk is on both sides. But yes, slowly the government needs some sort of source of income to keep afloat. And gambling is one of the easiest sources of income for them.

[Yatsan]

It may be a problem for other people because it will be risky to open casinos during the pandemic but it is said that 132,000 employees will benefit once they reopen casino operations. Let's just hope that once they will finally open, it won't cause more positive cases in the country.

It's quite risky to the people but there are millions of our fellow countrymen that have lost their jobs since pandemic has come. Now, we need to fight the possible recession, even though there's no unclear vaccine of the said virus but we need to continue to gain revenue in order to survive our economy.

That is "NEW NORMAL", they/we should adopt this now, they should follow on what pandemic protocol has been implemented and I think PAGCOR reopening is very crucial to us but we need to fight it for survival.

I think it's not a good choice to re-open businesses that will trigger more people gathering and yes, a possible transmission of the virus. Economy going down is not good, people losing job is really sad, but death is certain and the worst! acquiring it may cause your life. Personally, I will choose people losing job and economy crisis over thousands of people that are going to die because of the virus.

Opening of casinos and other business is going to be a disaster...

[sheenshane]

It may be a problem for other people because it will be risky to open casinos during the pandemic but it is said that 132,000 employees will benefit once they reopen casino operations. Let's just hope that once they will finally open, it won't cause more positive cases in the country.

It's quite risky to the people but there are millions of our fellow countrymen that have lost their jobs since pandemic has come. Now, we need to fight the possible recession, even though there's no unclear vaccine of the said virus but we need to continue to gain revenue in order to survive our economy.

That is "NEW NORMAL", they/we should adopt this now, they should follow on what pandemic protocol has been implemented and I think PAGCOR reopening is very crucial to us but we need to fight it for survival.

I think it's not a good choice to re-open businesses that will trigger more people gathering and yes, a possible transmission of the virus. Economy going down is not good, people losing job is really sad, but death is certain and the worst! acquiring it may cause your life. Personally, I will choose people losing job and economy crisis over thousands of people that are going to die because of the virus.

Opening of casinos and other business is going to be a disaster...

That's why there's a new normal policy.
There's no cure yet but at least we can have a precautionary measure on it and we need to do these:

• Wearing facemask
• Observe social distancing
• Check body temperature
• Disinfectant/sanitizer every hour

We can't wait and depend on our government assistance, even though the virus has been not totally lifted but we need to do something that generates profit even there's a risk. We need to live and survive from the economic crisis and maybe the government also looking and find ways that people have job even the pandemic was still there.

[serjent05]

I think it's not a good choice to re-open businesses that will trigger more people gathering and yes, a possible transmission of the virus. Economy going down is not good, people losing job is really sad, but death is certain and the worst! acquiring it may cause your life. Personally, I will choose people losing job and economy crisis over thousands of people that are going to die because of the virus.

Opening of casinos and other business is going to be a disaster...

This is quite a dilemma between people dying of viruses and people dying of starvation.  Which one is the lesser evil?  Death is certain for everyone, if it is not your time yet, you won't die.  Even though I am against the idea of re-opening of land-based casinos, but considering the employees and their family, rather than letting these people die of starvation, I am swayed to agree for the reopening of these establishments with a certain condition of a very tight protocol to prevent the virus from spreading.

We can't wait and depend on our government assistance, even though the virus has been not totally lifted but we need to do something that generates profit even there's a risk. We need to live and survive from the economic crisis and maybe the government also looking and find ways that people have job even the pandemic was still there.

Indeed, we can't wait for the failed government assistance.

[harizen]

We can't wait and depend on our government assistance, even though the virus has been not totally lifted but we need to do something that generates profit even there's a risk. We need to live and survive from the economic crisis and maybe the government also looking and find ways that people have job even the pandemic was still there.

Agree. We can't just wait for the vaccine to be made. It might be easy for other people to say that the re-opening of physical casinos shouldn't be considered for now but PH can't afford to wait for that long before opening such business.

The economic downfall will bring more negative effects in a country in the long-run compared to a pandemic virus that can actually be avoided* as long as strict safety measures will follow.

PAGCOR is the largest contributor of revenue to the PH government, even much larger compare to BIR and BOC. That's how important the re-opening of casinos under them. Not just it will help their employees but the government needs more funds to battle the pandemic virus and not just the majority of will be put on the family's assistance for a long period. We can't just rely on donations and LGU's.

[Sanitough]

I think it's not a good choice to re-open businesses that will trigger more people gathering and yes, a possible transmission of the virus. Economy going down is not good, people losing job is really sad, but death is certain and the worst! acquiring it may cause your life. Personally, I will choose people losing job and economy crisis over thousands of people that are going to die because of the virus.

Opening of casinos and other business is going to be a disaster...

This is quite a dilemma between people dying of viruses and people dying of starvation.  Which one is the lesser evil?  Death is certain for everyone, if it is not your time yet, you won't die.  Even though I am against the idea of re-opening of land-based casinos, but considering the employees and their family, rather than letting these people die of starvation, I am swayed to agree for the reopening of these establishments with a certain condition of a very tight protocol to prevent the virus from spreading.

The government will choose to open businesses like casino although there's a risk because of the reason mentioned above.
It's our responsibility to ensure ourselves that we followed the safety measures, so we can continue to work and we have money to buy food to feed our family, most of us are just average earners or those who totally rely on our job, without our job we can't feed ourselves which will make us unhealthy and prone to virus infection.

Indeed, we can't wait for the failed government assistance.

We can't wait and depend on our government assistance, even though the virus has been not totally lifted but we need to do something that generates profit even there's a risk. We need to live and survive from the economic crisis and maybe the government also looking and find ways that people have job even the pandemic was still there.

Government assistance implementation is worst in the Philippines, there's a lot of politics involve that would make the process take longer, people can't rely on that, and it's not really a significant amount that will help us survive for even at least a month or two.  

[MCobian]

The Philippines has been doing quarantine for too long, and as a result the Philippines economy has gotten worse. Because citizens can't
work and some businesses must be closed. Therefore, it's best to give permission reopen land based casinos by the Philippine government,
with the provision of running the COVID19 protocol, of course. And not only land-based casinos are given permission to open back, but all
the shops, offices, factories, sports and so on. That way the economy can recover.

[freedomgo]

The Philippines has been doing quarantine for too long, and as a result the Philippines economy has gotten worse. Because citizens can't
work and some businesses must be closed. Therefore, it's best to give permission reopen land based casinos by the Philippine government,
with the provision of running the COVID19 protocol, of course. And not only land-based casinos are given permission to open back, but all
the shops, offices, factories, sports and so on. That way the economy can recover.

Exactly, because it would be unfair for the other especially the small business to remain close while casino are open which in fact they are prone to spreading the virus due to the activity inside. It's not open yet and it doesn't mean if they are open they will remain open forever, it's still subject for evaluation if they have complied with the rules and guidelines pertaining to the covid-19 protocol.

[Lanatsa]

The Philippines has been doing quarantine for too long, and as a result the Philippines economy has gotten worse. Because citizens can't
work and some businesses must be closed. Therefore, it's best to give permission reopen land based casinos by the Philippine government,
with the provision of running the COVID19 protocol, of course. And not only land-based casinos are given permission to open back, but all
the shops, offices, factories, sports and so on. That way the economy can recover.

Exactly, because it would be unfair for the other especially the small business to remain close while casino are open which in fact they are prone to spreading the virus due to the activity inside. It's not open yet and it doesn't mean if they are open they will remain open forever, it's still subject for evaluation if they have complied with the rules and guidelines pertaining to the covid-19 protocol.

For essential type of business then it considerable but for others which arent really that needed or necessary then its just right for them to be still in closed state

but i do agree that everything should really be open up.Economy wont really able to recover if only a few establishments or sectors would be opened but everything would really be indeed

goes to a vey strict compliance of new set of rules on this pandemic situation.For now the situation worldwide is becoming worst and i doubt that they would be easily

re-opening everything.

[panganib999]

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/

Update as of now that the whole Metropolitan Manila or the National Capital Region (NCR) have been put from MECQ (Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine) down to the GCQ (General Community Quarantine) that is decided by the president and the IATF, the total number of covid-19 confirmed cases in the whole Philippines have reached and surpassed the 24,000 mark which is really alarming for the past few days after the backlogs test results from the past months have already been released.

This comes into my mind that letting people get outside make them to get into excitement because the crowd seems to be going out in a massive number knowing the pandemic is still on makes the cases to rise up to even higher number of confirmed cases.

How much more if the land based opening of operating the casinos would bring once the request of PAGCOR have been granted? Even though there were precautionary measures that will be implemented, still prevention will be better than cure since there is still no presence of vaccine to cure this pandemic. But if it is in need or a call for the re-opening of the economy that is intended for the essence of rising up the economic state of the Philippines, then it would be fine with me as long as there will be strict restrictions that will be implemented all the time.

[Vaculin]

then it would be fine with me as long as there will be strict restrictions that will be implemented all the time.

That's the answer, we can't stop our economy because there's a virus, we will all die if instead of facing it, we will just hide as we are all afraid.
Government are doing their best to balance the safety of the people and the economy, the only support we can give is just to be socially responsible.

[Genemind]

I saw this from a social media post from one of my friend who works in Casino Filipino.  The tentative date casinos will open will be on June 16, depending if GCQ will be lifted or not. I'll update this post once I receive more updates.

So, here are the guidelines released by Casino Filipino for those who will enter the casino.

[FlightyPouch]

The Philippines has been doing quarantine for too long, and as a result the Philippines economy has gotten worse. Because citizens can't
work and some businesses must be closed. Therefore, it's best to give permission reopen land based casinos by the Philippine government,
with the provision of running the COVID19 protocol, of course. And not only land-based casinos are given permission to open back, but all
the shops, offices, factories, sports and so on. That way the economy can recover.

I do agree that this will happen and it would also help the crumbling economy. I do think that the situation is still not that great, for it is still risky but we should also consider those people struggling in this pandemic. Some shops are also functioning right now and I guess they are just slowly opening the country to those normal days. They can't just open it hastily though since there are still cases of Covid-19 here in our country.

[Vaculin]

That's a good news especially for the gamblers who are regular in going into a casino, but for me, I have to be honest, I can't concentrate or have fun when I know I'm at risk of getting infected in a close building, and wearing face mask makes me uncomfortable.

I saw this from a social media post from one of my friend who works in Casino Filipino.  The tentative date casinos will open will be on June 16, depending if GCQ will be lifted or not. I'll update this post once I receive more updates.

So, here are the guidelines released by Casino Filipino for those who will enter the casino.

[Sanitough]

Enough for the security measures and it's possible breach, we have discuss it a lot already.

How about this statement from the PAGCOR chairperson and chief executive officer Andrea Domingo?

Gambling to help economic future of PH post-coronavirus

Domingo said in an online gambling conference on Monday, June 8, that the gaming industry employs about 132,000 people and boosts other businesses like restaurants, hotels, malls in integrated resorts, services, transportation, and real estate. These industries are among the hardest hit by the strict lockdown and physical distancing guidelines.

It has also given P2.5 billion to the Office of the President (OP) to help the Department of Health purchase personal protective equipment and medical supplies, and another P12 billion for the OP's socio-civic projects fund.

If we were to decide, would we choose that they will not resume because of the covid-19 scare? or they have to resume to contribute to the economy?

[iTradeChips]

The Philippines has been doing quarantine for too long, and as a result the Philippines economy has gotten worse. Because citizens can't
work and some businesses must be closed. Therefore, it's best to give permission reopen land based casinos by the Philippine government,
with the provision of running the COVID19 protocol, of course. And not only land-based casinos are given permission to open back, but all
the shops, offices, factories, sports and so on. That way the economy can recover.

Exactly, because it would be unfair for the other especially the small business to remain close while casino are open which in fact they are prone to spreading the virus due to the activity inside. It's not open yet and it doesn't mean if they are open they will remain open forever, it's still subject for evaluation if they have complied with the rules and guidelines pertaining to the covid-19 protocol.

For essential type of business then it considerable but for others which arent really that needed or necessary then its just right for them to be still in closed state

but i do agree that everything should really be open up.Economy wont really able to recover if only a few establishments or sectors would be opened but everything would really be indeed

goes to a vey strict compliance of new set of rules on this pandemic situation.For now the situation worldwide is becoming worst and i doubt that they would be easily

re-opening everything.

The government already reported that the number of unemployed right now due to the pandemic is more than 7 million people. That really is affecting the economy right now and no matter how and whatever means the government is trying to calculate, it will be a loss to our economy. So they are really pressured to declare an MGCQ by monday. And sadly the masses wanted the means to go back to work whatever it takes even at the risk of getting sick without a vaccine. Let's just hope that whatever the decision on Monday,that would help us balance things to better the health and at the same time to be able to get back on track with the economy.

[Lanatsa]

The Philippines has been doing quarantine for too long, and as a result the Philippines economy has gotten worse. Because citizens can't
work and some businesses must be closed. Therefore, it's best to give permission reopen land based casinos by the Philippine government,
with the provision of running the COVID19 protocol, of course. And not only land-based casinos are given permission to open back, but all
the shops, offices, factories, sports and so on. That way the economy can recover.

Exactly, because it would be unfair for the other especially the small business to remain close while casino are open which in fact they are prone to spreading the virus due to the activity inside. It's not open yet and it doesn't mean if they are open they will remain open forever, it's still subject for evaluation if they have complied with the rules and guidelines pertaining to the covid-19 protocol.

For essential type of business then it considerable but for others which arent really that needed or necessary then its just right for them to be still in closed state

but i do agree that everything should really be open up.Economy wont really able to recover if only a few establishments or sectors would be opened but everything would really be indeed

goes to a vey strict compliance of new set of rules on this pandemic situation.For now the situation worldwide is becoming worst and i doubt that they would be easily

re-opening everything.

The government already reported that the number of unemployed right now due to the pandemic is more than 7 million people. That really is affecting the economy right now and no matter how and whatever means the government is trying to calculate, it will be a loss to our economy. So they are really pressured to declare an MGCQ by monday. And sadly the masses wanted the means to go back to work whatever it takes even at the risk of getting sick without a vaccine. Let's just hope that whatever the decision on Monday,that would help us balance things to better the health and at the same time to be able to get back on track with the economy.

You are right! Government do always took the blame in every decision that they had made without even think for its citizens that it would really be a sustainable one if it would last even more longer.

Several countries had already opened or lift up their quarantine mode and do continue into their normal lives but with having that new health protocol to be followed.Yes, its risky but people will

surely choose that this is way more better than to stay on home and starve themselves to death thats why i cant really blame up people whom do force to have work just for this kind of reason.

[mirakal]

You are right! Government do always took the blame in every decision that they had made without even think for its citizens that it would really be a sustainable one if it would last even more longer.

Several countries had already opened or lift up their quarantine mode and do continue into their normal lives but with having that new health protocol to be followed.Yes, its risky but people will

surely choose that this is way more better than to stay on home and starve themselves to death thats why i cant really blame up people whom do force to have work just for this kind of reason.

If the government will listen to the majority, they will ease the restriction and let people work since majority of the Filipinos belongs to the average and poor living, that's the reality we can't deny. The problem is if we go back to the ECQ, people will starve and there will be rallies if the government can't provide their basic needs and that will create chaos which would later give worst effect to our peace and order and that will kill our economy.

Both decision to ease the restriction and to go back to a strict measures have negative impact to us, but the government has to choose a lesser evil and that is opening businesses so people can get back their job again.