PAGCOR suspends casino, gaming operations during Metro Manila quarantine

ABS-CBN News

Posted at Mar 15 2020 02:58 PM

MANILA - The Philippines' gaming regulatory body on Sunday said it suspended all gaming operations until the end of Metro Manila's community quarantine against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on April 14.

The suspension applies to land-based casinos, electronic games (eGames), bingo (traditional and electronic), sports betting, poker and slot machine clubs, and other activities regulated by PAGCOR, it said.

Restaurants within the gaming areas and hotels were the casinos are housed may remain open, it added.

Hotels, however, are discouraged from hosting large functions and events as government banned mass gatherings and urged the public to practice social distancing.

Only "a minimum number" of Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGO) workers will be allowed in their workplaces, according to PAGCOR.

"The rest of POGO workers will be restricted to their respective living quarters where they will observe social distancing and quarantine protocols," it said.

Operations of PAGCOR properties outside Metro Manila will also be suspended once the local government declares community quarantine, it added.

The regulatory body said it has remitted some P2 billion to the Office of the President to augment expenses of the Department of Health in combating the virus.