The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is gearing up for a significant transformation, with plans to complete its transition into a purely regulatory body by 2025.
PAGCOR chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco made this announcement during the inaugural session of the IAG Academy Summit. He highlighted that this shift towards a regulatory function is a strategic move to “level the playing field and ensure future growth and viability for all gaming industry players.”
“We have started preparing for this transition in earnest, and we are starting where it matters most – within PAGCOR itself… We certainly know our potential and capability to become the gold standard in the Asian gaming scene,” Tengco said.
Acknowledging the importance of PAGCOR’s employees, Tengco noted that this shift could impact some personnel. To address this, the agency is actively crafting plans to prevent displacement, particularly in PAGCOR-operated casinos that are slated for privatization.
“We have been going around the country during the past few months, holding town hall meetings with our employees. We tell them there is no reason to worry because we have plans in place to mitigate, if not totally avoid, any personnel displacement,” he assured.
Additionally, Tengco highlighted that PAGCOR is making essential adjustments to its corporate structure, business processes, and procedures to enhance responsiveness and competitiveness.
The transition plans also include consolidating into a single corporate office to improve coordination, efficiency, and performance.
Moreover, PAGCOR intends to modernize existing casinos to attract more players and render its assets more appealing to potential buyers.
In a bid to regulate the industry effectively, Tengco disclosed that PAGCOR recently implemented new regulations for international gaming licensees to combat illegal activities and maintain integrity within the sector.