Key points:
- PAGCOR is closing two underperforming Casino Filipino sites in Cebu and Davao due to substantial financial losses
- All 75 affected employees will be reassigned to other PAGCOR gaming sites with full job security
- The closures are part of PAGCOR’s broader rationalisation plan to improve operational efficiency
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has announced the closure of two losing Casino Filipino sites in Talisay, Cebu, and Tagum, Davao del Norte, as part of its ongoing operational rationalisation strategy.
According to PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco, the Talisay casino incurred net losses of Php39.32m ($672,000) in 2023, which escalated to Php49.56m in 2024.
Similarly, the Tagum casino experienced a net loss of Php31.56m in 2023, increasing to Php36.93m in 2024.
These mounting financial strains prompted the agency to discontinue operations at these locations.
Despite the closures, PAGCOR has committed to preserving employee job security.
Good to know: The 42 employees from the Talisay site will be transferred to various branches under Casino Filipino Cebu, while the 33 employees from Tagum will be deployed to different sites under Casino Filipino Grand Regal in Davao
The agency's Human Resource and Development Group is actively managing the transition to try and ensure smooth reassignments.
The closure of these sites aligns with PAGCOR's broader strategy of optimising its gaming operations, which recently saw a record revenue of Php112bn in 2024, with the electronic games sector playing a significant role in the organisation's financial performance.