Metro Manila casinos to close until August 20

Casinos in the Entertainment City zone in Metro Manila have decided to close amid a rise in cases of the delta variant of Covid-19.

The Philippines.- Days after Manila’s city government decided to extend the current general community quarantine (GCQ) until August 15, some casinos have decided to close from August 6 to Augusto 20.

The decision was taken following the guidelines from the Philippine government and PAGCOR as the delta variant of Covid-19 spreads in The Philippines.

Resorts World Manila said: “Leisure stays at the hotels as well as dine-in services will be suspended during the lockdown. Most of the restaurants at Resorts World Manila’s Newport Mall and hotels will offer takeaway or delivery instead, during this period.”

Okada Manila casino resort and City of Dreams Manila have taken a similar decision, while Solaire Resort and Casino has not confirmed if it will close.

Although Manila is under GCQ with heightened restrictions, casinos were allowed to resume operating at a reduced capacity in May.

Under current countermeasures, only those between 18-65 years of age are allowed to leave their place of residence and only selected businesses are permitted to open.

PAGCOR income from gaming operations down 20 per cent in the first half

PAGCOR has revealed that gaming income for the first half fell by 20 per cent year-on-year to PHP14.7bn (US$293.1m). In the first six months, the regulator made a profit of PHP79m.

PAGCOR previously reported that gaming revenue fell by 51.4 per cent year-on-year to PHP8.36bn (US$172.8m) in the first quarter, compared to nearly PHP17.22bn (US$339.8m) in the first quarter of 2020. Net income reached PHP152.6m (US$3.2m), down 80 per cent from Php777.4m (US$15.3m).