PAGCOR Sets 2027 Smart Table Conversion Deadline for Entertainment City Casinos

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) will require Manila’s 4 Entertainment City integrated resorts to begin converting their gaming tables to smart table technology by January 1, 2027. The requirement will initially apply to City of Dreams Manila, Okada Manila, Newport World Resorts, and Solaire Resort Entertainment City.

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PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco confirmed the plan while speaking with Inside Asian Gaming during the Global Gaming Expo, or G2E, in Las Vegas on Tuesday. He said the deadline specifically applies to integrated resort licensees, with the initial implementation limited to Entertainment City properties.

The move is intended to strengthen the regulatory framework for casino operations by giving the regulator greater visibility over transactions taking place on gaming floors. Other integrated resorts in locations such as Clark and Cebu may be included at a later stage, along with other casinos nationwide.

Entertainment City Resorts Covered

Tengco said all integrated resorts must begin, at a minimum, the process of converting their gaming tables into smart tables from January 1, 2027. He said the requirement applies to every integrated resort licensee in the Philippines, although PAGCOR is initially focusing on Entertainment City.

The 4 resorts covered by the initial requirement are City of Dreams Manila, Okada Manila, Newport World Resorts, and Solaire Resort Entertainment City. These properties are located in Manila’s Entertainment City gaming and tourism district.

The PAGCOR chairman said a majority of the integrated resorts had already begun their smart table conversion process. He said these operators are already complying ahead of the formal deadline and are expected to use smart table technology by early 2027.

PAGCOR’s guidelines will require other integrated resort licensees to begin conversion in 2027. The initial deadline is focused on starting the implementation process rather than requiring all conversions to be completed by January 1.

Smart Technology Improves Visibility

Smart table technology is expected to provide PAGCOR with greater visibility into transactions as they happen across casino gaming floors. The system is seen as a way to improve oversight within the local casino industry.

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The technology can monitor gaming activity at tables and give operators and regulators access to transaction information. PAGCOR has described the smart table requirement as part of its effort to enhance the regulatory framework for Philippine casinos.

The first stage of the mandate is understood to cover baccarat tables. Other casino table games are expected to be added in the future as the requirement expands.

Only a small number of casino operators in the Philippines currently use smart table technology. Solaire’s properties in Entertainment City and Quezon City use Angel’s hybrid system.

Newport World Resorts has also recently installed a smart table solution from Walker Digital Table Systems. These operators have already started using technology that is expected to become more widely required under PAGCOR’s new guidelines.

Angeles City Casino Prepares Launch

PAGCOR is also preparing to launch an area for smart tables and new electronic gaming machines at its Casino Filipino branch in Angeles City. Tengco said the property has recently undergone renovation.

The Angeles City branch is among PAGCOR’s largest and most profitable self-owned casinos. The launch of the dedicated smart table and electronic gaming machine area will add another location where the regulator’s casino operations use updated technology.

PAGCOR has not yet set a deadline for casinos outside Entertainment City. However, the regulator expects to introduce the mandate to additional integrated resorts and casinos at a later date.

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Source: Inside Asian Gaming