With infected cases of Coronavirus rising every day, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), an apex body for regulation of casinos in the Philippines, has decided to suspend all gaming operations and all casinos in Manila have been closed. The decision comes after the shutdown of Goa Casinos, Czech Republic’s Kings Casino and several other casinos across the world. The idea is to take extra precautions in the battle against the deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19).
On Sunday 15th March 2020, PAGCOR announced that all casino and gaming operations will be shut down in Manila amid the increasing threat of COVID-19. This means that all land-based casinos, integrated casino resorts and all other gaming activities regulated by PAGCOR will be shutting down.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier this week addressed the nation and declared a community quarantine to limit movement of people and thereby prevent further spreading of the COVID-19 virus in the region. The decision was taken in line with ‘Social Distancing’. Since each day hundreds of people come to Manila from various parts of the world, it made sense to suspend gaming operations
“PAGCOR believes in the seriousness of the COVID-19 situation. Hence, it supports the government’s extreme effort in containing the virus. For its part, the state-run gaming agency has decided to prohibit public gatherings in its gaming venues and in the licensed gaming properties that it regulates,” announced by PAGCOR via Facebook page.
Coronvirus continues to play havoc with the gaming industry across the world and if the situation does not improve in next few days, we may see similar announcements in other parts of the world.