Gambling in Metro Manila has been regulated since 1976 when the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) was created through Presidential Decree 1067.[1] Under its charter promulgated in 1983, the 100% state-owned PAGCOR, running under the direct supervision of the Office of the President, serves three crucial roles: to regulate and operate all games of chance in the country, particularly casino gaming; generate funds for the government's infrastructure and socio-civic projects; and boost local tourism.[2][3]
Prior to 1976, illegal gambling dominated the Philippines as unlicensed casinos and underground bookmaking operations were opened across the country. Illegal forms of gambling included jueteng, masiao and last two.[4] Among the few lawful gambling activities in those days were church-organised bingo sessions and jai alai wagering at the Manila Jai Alai Building.[5]
In 1977, PAGCOR opened its first casino, The Manila Bay Casino, a floating casino which operated in all three decks of luxury liner MS Philippine Tourist off Manila Bay in partnership with the Philippine Casino Operators Corporation (PCOC) and Manila Bay Enterprises, Inc. (MBEI) which was majority owned by the Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau of casino magnate, Stanley Ho.[6][7] When a fire gutted the ship in 1979, PAGCOR shifted its operations to land-based casinos.[8] By the end of that year, the Philippine Village Hotel built in 1974 at the old Nayong Pilipino complex adjacent to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) became home to the city's first land-based casino.[7][9]
- ^ "Presidential Decree No. 1067-A". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
- ^ "Presidential Decree No. 1869, s. 1983". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
- ^ "Billion $ paradise – Manila stakes its claim". Macau Business. Archived from the original on February 23, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
- ^ Joselito Guianan Chan, Managing Partner, Chan Robles & Associates Law Firm (April 2, 2004). "Philippine Laws, Statutes And Codes – Chan Robles Virtual Law Library". Chanrobles.com. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Betting in the Philippines". Frixo.com. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
- ^ "Philippine Gambling is 'Kept at Bay'". The Times-News. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
- ^ a b "Back in Business". Newsbreak. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
- ^ "G.R. No. 132929. March 27, 2000". Supreme Court of the Philippines. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
- ^ "About the Association of Human Resources Managers". AHRM Hospitality. Retrieved August 29, 2014.